TThe 2026 FIFA World Cup has officially hit its stride. Now deep into the second matchweek, the newly expanded 48-team format is delivering exactly what it promised: more high-stakes football, massive scorelines, and absolute chaos in the group standings.
Since this update is dropping on Sunday, June 21, we are looking back at the biggest moments of the week before outlining the critical matchups you need to watch as we head into the new week.
FIFA World Cup 2026
1. The Story So Far: Major Statements and Thrillers
The past few days have delivered some of the most crucial storylines of the tournament so far.
- Canada’s Statement Victory: Playing on home soil at BC Place in Vancouver, Canada completely dismantled Qatar with a staggering 6-0 victory. The host nation heavily capitalized on Qatar’s disastrous disciplinary issues, which saw the visiting team finish the match with only nine men.
- Mexico Secures the Win: In a highly anticipated Group A clash, Mexico edged out South Korea 1-0 at the Guadalajara Stadium. A 50th-minute goal from Luis Romo, confirmed by VAR, was enough to seal the victory and put the co-hosts in a prime position to advance.
- England’s Thriller: Over in Dallas, England’s campaign got off to an entertaining start as they defeated Croatia 4-2. After a tense back-and-forth, second-half strikes proved too much for the Croatian defense.
- Ivory Coast Leaves it Late: Ivory Coast secured a vital 1-0 win against Ecuador in Philadelphia, grabbing all three points thanks to a dramatic 90th-minute winner from Amad Diallo.
2. The Sunday Schedule and Beyond
As we move into Sunday and the start of a new week, the schedule is absolutely loaded with heavyweight clashes that could decide the fate of several groups.
Here are the most anticipated matchups from Sunday, June 21 onward that you need to mark on your calendar:
| Date (PKT) | Matchup | Group | Venue | Kickoff (PKT) |
| Sun, Jun 21 | Spain vs. Saudi Arabia | Group H | Atlanta Stadium | 9:00 PM |
| Mon, Jun 22 | Belgium vs. Iran | Group G | Los Angeles Stadium | 12:00 AM |
| Mon, Jun 22 | Uruguay vs. Cape Verde | Group H | Miami Stadium | 3:00 AM |
| Wed, Jun 24 | England vs. Ghana | Group L | Boston Stadium | 1:00 AM |
| Wed, Jun 24 | Panama vs. Croatia | Group L | Toronto Stadium | 4:00 AM |
Verdict
The beauty of the new 48-team format is the sheer unpredictability. With a third-place finish potentially offering a lifeline into the new Round of 32, every single goal and card matters immensely. Whether you are watching Spain try to secure dominance in Group H this Sunday or waiting for England’s massive clash against Ghana later in the week, the upcoming fixtures will be critical in shaping the knockout stages. Stock up on snacks and clear your schedule.