The 2026 FIFA World Cup has begun with memorable events. The opening match between Mexico and South Africa resulted in three red cards, the most in two decades for a World Cup game. Mexico triumphed 2-0 in Mexico City. On the same night, South Korea achieved a comeback win against Czechia, with Hwang In-Beom and Oh Hyeon-Gyu scoring in the second half.
On Friday, Canada and Bosnia-Herzegovina ended their match in a 1-1 draw in Toronto. Meanwhile, the USMNT dominated Paraguay, winning 4-1 in front of a large home crowd at SoFi Stadium. Over the weekend, Qatar secured a last-minute equalizer from Boualem Khoukhi to draw with Switzerland, creating a tie among all Group B teams. Brazil tied 1-1 against Morocco at MetLife Stadium, Australia upset Turkey with a 2-0 win, and Japan made an impressive comeback in a thrilling 2-2 draw with the Netherlands.
Fans eagerly anticipate Erling Haaland’s debut as the tournament progresses. This World Cup marks Norway’s first appearance since 1998, ending a 28-year absence. Haaland, Norway’s prolific striker, feels the importance of this moment as the team prepares for their opening match against Iraq on Tuesday, June 16. In an interview with ESPN, Haaland expressed what this tournament means for Norway and his legacy. He felt the absence in Qatar 2022 and the 2024 Euros, but now he is ready to make history.
Haaland carries the hopes of his nation, and with each tournament that Norway missed, expectations grew. He aims to create iconic moments for Norway’s younger fans. Haaland never experienced his country in a World Cup growing up, but he remembers watching great players on the global stage. Now, he hopes to inspire young Norwegian fans.
“I never experienced Norway being at a World Cup in my lifetime,” Haaland said. “I’m just happy now that we qualified, and all the young Norwegian kids can experience how it is to have their country there…”
Norway finds itself in Group I and will face Iraq on June 16, followed by Senegal on June 22 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and France on June 26 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The highlight is the Norway vs. France match, featuring Haaland against Kylian Mbappe, marked as one of the most anticipated clashes of the group stage.
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