MIAMI — Debutant teams and underdogs have delivered several surprises in the early stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with first-timers such as Cape Verde securing notable results against established favorites, according to match reports on Monday.
Cape Verde, appearing in its first World Cup, held Spain to a 0-0 draw in its opening match and followed with a 2-2 comeback draw against Uruguay, remaining unbeaten after two group games. The African nation earned its first-ever World Cup point against Spain and scored its first goal in the tournament against Uruguay.
Other newcomers, including Curaçao, Jordan and Uzbekistan, have also competed in the expanded 48-team tournament, which is co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The results reflect the unpredictable nature of the group stage in the largest World Cup field to date. Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha was praised for his performance against Spain, while the team has drawn attention as one of the stories of the opening rounds.
New Zealand, ranked 85th by FIFA and one of the lowest-ranked teams in the tournament, earned a 2-2 draw against Iran. Egypt secured its first World Cup win with a 3-1 victory over New Zealand on Monday.
In other matches, Australia recorded a surprise result against Türkiye, and the Democratic Republic of Congo drew with Portugal.
FIFA officials and team coaches have noted the competitive balance in several groups. Cape Verde coach said after the Uruguay match that the team was in "dreamland" following its strong start.
The tournament format allows more teams to advance from groups, with the top two in each of the 12 groups plus the eight best third-placed teams progressing to the round of 32. This structure has increased opportunities for surprises.
As of Monday, group standings remained fluid with several matches still to be played in the first round. Favorites such as Spain, Uruguay and others continue their campaigns, while debutants and lower-ranked sides have outperformed expectations in specific fixtures.
Match results and updated standings are available through FIFA and local organizing committees as the group stage continues.
