The world’s grandest, biggest and the most celebrated sporting spectacle, the World Cup football tournament kicked off at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, capital of Mexico on June 11.

With the ongoing World Cup in its second week, there have been a few surprising and shocking results. The tournament has already picked up momentum, intensity and tempo.

Having won two straight matches, the United States, Mexico and Germany are through to the round of 32.

On the contrary, Tunisia, Turkey and Haiti have exited the tournament, following two successive defeats.

Turkey’s early exit from the competition was unexpected, taking everyone by surprise.

Strong contenders and European champions Spain ended their opener against debutant Cabo Verde in a shocking draw much to the surprise of everyone.

Another debutant Curaçao bounced back from a 0-7 defeat at the hands of Germany to earn their first ever World Cup point after holding Ecuador to a draw.

Both defending champions Argentina and runners up (2022) France made a winning start prevailing over Algeria and Senegal respectively.

Star striker Lionel Messi made a dream start by scoring the tournament’s first hattrick, while Kylian Mbappe found the net twice.

In the race for the golden boot award, both Erling Haaland (Norway) and Harry Kane (England) also got off to a good start, scoring two goals each.

Much of the spotlight was centered around ace striker and the world’s top goal scorer Cristiano Ronaldo for the wrong reasons after Portugal played a 1-1 draw against DR Congo.

One of the world’s greatest players was unfairly held accountable for his team’s poor performance. The critics intentionally forgot the fact that football is a team sport. As a matter of fact, he barely got a few scoring chances in the entire game. It was poor midfield play that let them down,

Ronaldo has a chance to silence his critics and haters when Portugal plays Uzbekistan.

Passionate sports enthusiasts around the globe have confined themselves to their homes to watch games around the clock on television.

Evidently, those watching matches live in stadiums have turned up in unprecedented numbers, filling up every seat available.

As anticipated, in a display of non -stop energy, excitement, enthusiasm and roaring chants, flag waving and drum beating spectators have created a festive atmosphere, which is very pleasing to the eyes.

Be prepared to embrace the high drama that is likely to unfold as the tourney speeds forward.

Let me go back to the inaugural match and opening matches of various other Group matches, coupled with opening ceremonies held in Mexico, Canada and the United States and other related news to the championship.

Co -hosts Mexico got off to a winning start by getting the better of South Africa 2-0 in Group A game to stir up the boisterous home supporters.

In the second match of Group A, South Korea prevailed over Czech Republic 2-1 in Guadalajara, Mexico.

The 23rd edition World Cup was marked by a spectacular, mesmerizing opening ceremony featuring globally renowned singers and a fascinating colorful Vibra concert depicting the culture of Mexico.

The biggest highlight was the “Dai Dai” song performed by the duo Colombian superstar Shakira and Grammy winning singer Burna Boy, which is considered the best ever World Cup song. The other performers were J Balvin, Tyla and other artists.

It may be recalled that 25 years ago Shakira’s song “Waka Waka” for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa was a sensational hit.

Los Angeles witnessed a chaotic atmosphere with partisan football fans filling every seat at the SoFi stadium with a seating capacity of 70,000 plus to rally around the United States against Paraguay in Group D match on June 12th.

At the end of the day, surprisingly the United States outplayed Paraguay 4-1 much to the joy of home supporters.

The stadium can accommodate 100,000 plus people for a big event like the World Cup.

Prior to the opener, popular singers Katty Perry, Lisa, Future, Tyla and many more performed in the opening ceremony in Los Angeles.

Likewise, on the same day co-hosts Canada, swept by World Cup mania, opened their Group B opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina with a 1-1 draw.

Before the kick off, the country’s famed artists Alanis Morissette LP, Michael Bible and a host of others took center stage in the opening ceremony.

Qatar was in a celebratory state as they earned their first ever World Cup point by holding favorites Switzerland to a 1-1 draw in Group B encounter. However, the celebration was short lived as they went down to Canada 0-6, paving the way for their World Cup exit.

In the Group C fixture, one of the tournament heavy favorites Brazil was held to a 1-1 draw by Morocco on June 13th. They registered their first win in the tournament by getting the better of Haiti 3-0.

In the second match of the same group, in the opener Scotland barely scrambled past minnows Haiti 1-0.

On June 14th there were five matches. In the day’s first Group D match, Australia got off to a winning start by completing an upset victory over Turkey 2-0.

The day’s second match in Group E, was between strong contenders Germany and debutante Curacao.

Expectedly the Germans totally dominated the proceedings, making mincemeat of their helpless opponents outplaying 7-1.

The Group F encounter between Netherlands and Japan was the most absorbing, thrilling and competitive of the day.

Japan rallied back twice to hold Netherlands 2-2. Both Netherlands and Japan are expected to reach the round of 42 with victories over Sweden and Tunisia respectively.

The world’s most popular and numero uno sport is keeping sports enthusiasts of diverse groups of people of all ages and backgrounds around the world one hundred percent focused on the tournament and pushing them to the edge of their seats.

Fans are having their adrenaline pumped up and going into a frenzy as they feverishly watch the world’s best teams fight out for football’s biggest, most prestigious and recognizable coveted trophy.

Like in the past, the month plus long action packed and drama filled championship of the highest quality held every four years is estimated to be watched by five billion people across the five continents.

Without a shadow of doubt, fans are being overwhelmed by the intense excitement, thrill, and emotions evoked by the tournament.

They are glued to television sets watching matches from start to finish, rooting their respective teams. Depending on the outcome of the games, they will be either engulfed in ecstasy or agony.

As expected, both print and electronic media coverage is being dominated by the coverage of the tournament globally.

In every nook and corner of the world, every conversation, discussion and debate is revolving around the competition.

For the first time in the history of the World Cup the expanded edition of the World Cup, featuring 48 national teams, is being jointly hosted by the United States of America, Canada and Mexico

Having hosted the World Cup for the first time in 1994, the United States is co-hosting for the second time.

While Canada is co-hosting for the first time. Mexico is the first country ever to host and co-host the biggest footballing event for the third time.

The bulk of matches (78), including quarterfinals, semifinals, third place and final will take place in the United States. While both Mexico and Canada will host 13 matches each.

The final will be held at New Jersey’s East Rutherford Met Life stadium with a capacity of over 82,000.

In the last World Cup held in Qatar in 2022, the number of participating countries was 32. The increase in the number of participants in the 2026 edition is 16, which includes debutants Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan and Uzbekistan.

The participating countries are from Asia (9), North America (6), Europe (16) South America (6), Africa (10) and Oceania region (1).

In the United States matches will be held in Houston, Kansas City, New York/New Jersey, Atlanta, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Seattle, Boston and Miami.

Likewise, Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara in Mexico are host cities for the matches. Canada’s World Cup action will be in two cities, Vancouver and Toronto.

The 48 teams have been divided into 12 groups with 4 teams in each group.
The top two finishers in each group and eight best third-place teams will advance to the round of 32.

As per bookmakers and football experts’ predictions based on recent performances, quality of players and strengths, Spain, France, England and Brazil are heavy favorites for the title.

In the power rankings, Spain leads the list followed by France, Argentina, Brazil. England, Germany, the Netherlands and Portugal.

Defending champions Argentina and Portugal might not figure in the list of contenders, but they can turn the tide in their favor provided they perform consistently to their ability.

There is no guarantee that the World Cup will be lifted by one of the teams picked by experts and bookmakers. We cannot rule out unexpected results and a less favored team or a rank outsider triumph at the end of the day.

Under the spotlight will be two legendary superstars Christiano Ronaldo and Lionel
Messi playing their last World Cup.

One of the world’s greatest footballers Ronaldo is desperate to end his career with the World Cup trophy in his kitty. Should he fulfill his long-cherished wish, his career will come to a complete and fully glorified end.

The prolific goal scorer and out of the ordinary player leads a very experienced, talented side that has the potential to fulfill Portugal’s long quest for World Cup success.

On the other hand, the highly talented Messi has virtually won everything in his outstanding career and is looking forward to adding another feather in his glorious legacy by winning back-to-back World Cup.

Besides, going into the competition he already has 13 goals to his credit and will be eyeing to add more to become the top World Cup goal scorer.

There is a slew of other highly experienced and recognized players in the likes of Englishman Harry Kane, Egyptian Mohamed Salah, Croatian Luka Modric, Brazilian duo Casemiro and Neymar Jr in World Cup action probably for the last time. They will add fuel to the fire in terms of mesmerizing spectators by their quality performance.

The young generation of footballers Lamin Yamal (Spain), Erling Haaland (Norway), Michael Olise (France), Morgan Rogers (England), Ibrahim Mbaye (Senegal), Nico Paz (Argentina), Arda Guler (Turkey), Vinicius Junior (Brazil) and many more will be under the scanner and their footballing skills should light up the tournament.

Striker Kylian Mbappe (France) a household name in international football having already scored 12 goals will be looking to surpass World Cup’s top goal scorer Germany’s Miroslav Klose’s longstanding 16 goals record.

Since the World Cup started in 1930 Brazil tops the list of winners having won 5 times, followed by Germany (4), Italy (4), Argentina (3). France (2), Uruguay (2), England (1) and Spain (1).

Unbelievably four times World Cup winners Italy has failed to qualify for the championship round since 2014.

On the contrary, Brazil is the only country that has played in every World Cup to date.

Although as per the latest odds, Spain is the top favorite, followed by France and England to win the 2026 World Cup, I expect the tournament to be highly competitive and fiercely fought between top contenders.

Do not be taken aback if there are surprises, shocking upsets and eliminations. After all it is football, therefore anything is possible. Therefore, be primed for a thrilling, compelling, intriguing, exciting, suspenseful, enjoyable and action-packed sporting spectacle of the highest order.