By Leslie Lim
One full week in, with all 48 nations having played their opening match, the verdict on World Cup 2026 is clear: so far, so good.
The widespread pre-tournament cynicism directed at FIFA is rapidly evaporating. Many fans and pundits are finding themselves far more forgiving of the expanded format.
What was heavily criticised as a cynical, money-grabbing dilution of football’s greatest stage has instead produced a gripping opening act.
The arrival of debutants and lower-ranked nations has not dragged the tournament into mediocrity.
It has instead injected a raw, fresh energy that caught the traditional elite entirely by surprise. These so-called minnows are not merely here to make up the numbers – they are here to make history.
Look no further than the opening round of fixtures to see how the global hierarchy is being challenged. Cape Verde, an island off the western coast of Africa with a population of around 530,000 people, stunned the footballing world with a historic 0–0 draw against reigning Euro champions Spain.
It was a masterclass in defensive resilience, proving that tactical discipline can neutralise even the most gifted opponents, leaving a star-studded Spanish side frustrated and short of answers.
The Mohamed Salah-led Egypt fought tooth and nail to earn a gritty 1–1 draw against Belgium, while Japan showcased their continued technical evolution by going toe-to-toe with the Netherlands in a breathless 2–2 thriller.
The argument that these expanded groups would merely provide easy meat for traditional powerhouses has been comprehensively dismantled.
England’s thrilling but nervy 4–2 victory over Croatia was one of the standout matches of the opening round – an end-to-end spectacle that delivered pure entertainment. It proved that while the gap may have narrowed lower down the footballing ladder, the elite can still produce explosive, high-scoring encounters when two technically gifted sides are willing to trade blows.
However, if the opening week needed a defining moment to cement its success, it came from football’s ultimate elder statesman. At 38, embarking on an unprecedented sixth World Cup campaign, Lionel Messi proved he remains entirely capable of producing top-class football – still an efficient and tactical genius with a slower physical pace.
His spectacular hat-trick in Argentina’s 3–0 demolition of Algeria was another chapter in footballing history. By scoring all three goals, Messi drew level with Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup scoring record of 16 goals.
Even the highly controversial hydration breaks have inadvertently added a layer of modern tactical intrigue. While purists initially objected to the disruption of the game’s rhythm, these brief intervals have evolved into high-stakes, basketball-style timeouts.
They give underdogs a crucial opportunity to regroup, reset their defensive shape, and recalibrate under intense physical pressure.
Closer to home, RTM must be commended for its excellent coverage, providing generous 10 to 12 minutes of YouTube highlights for the matches.
In our time zone, where games air deep into the night, not all fans can stay awake in the wee hours to follow the live matches. The comprehensive highlight packages are the perfect remedy, ensuring nobody misses out on the unfolding drama.
If the opening week is anything to go by, the narrative has firmly shifted. FIFA’s grand experiment is not a diluted mess – it is a fascinating new frontier.
WE