New Voices, New Stories: World Cup 2026's Underdogs Make Their Mark

While favourites including Argentina, France, Germany and England began with victories, many of the tournament's most memorable moments came from teams outside football's established elite.

From Cape Verde holding Spain to a goalless draw, to DR Congo frustrating Portugal, and Egypt earning a point against Belgium, the opening week highlighted the growing strength and confidence of nations often overlooked in global football conversations.

For many supporters, one of the stories of the tournament so far has been the impact of African nations. Morocco continued the momentum built during recent tournaments by earning a draw against Brazil, while Senegal remained competitive against reigning champions France for much of their match. Egypt, DR Congo, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Algeria have all brought different styles, histories and football cultures to the competition, demonstrating the depth of talent across the continent.

The tournament's expanded format has also given new visibility to countries and communities that have rarely featured on football's biggest stage. Cape Verde's historic point against Spain became one of the defining moments of the opening round, while Uzbekistan celebrated its first-ever World Cup goal. New Zealand exceeded expectations with a draw against Iran, and Curaçao marked its World Cup debut with a memorable goal against Germany despite defeat.

Beyond the results, these matches showcased the diversity that makes the World Cup unique. Supporters have brought colour, music, language, dance and traditions from every region of the world, creating a tournament atmosphere that reflects football's global reach. From North African drums and chants to Caribbean celebrations and Latin American fan culture, the opening week has been a reminder that the World Cup is as much about people and communities as it is about results on the pitch.

As the tournament moves into its second round of group-stage fixtures, the biggest question may not be whether the favourites can progress, but which of these emerging teams can continue to challenge expectations.

The opening week suggests that the gap between football's traditional powers and the rest of the world may be smaller than ever.