With all Matchday 1 fixtures of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the bag, we reflect on the opening round of games by picking an XI of the players who most impressed. The post World Cup 2026: Best XI From Matchday 1 appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Will one of these sides earn their first-ever World Cup victory? Look ahead to Canada vs Qatar in Group B at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with our match prediction and preview. The post Canada vs Qatar Prediction: World Cup 2026 Match Preview appeared first on Opta Analyst .
After a perfectly balanced start left each Group B side with one point at the FIFA World Cup, we look ahead to Thursday's crucial clash with our Switzerland vs Bosnia-Herzegovina prediction and preview. The post Switzerland vs Bosnia-Herzegovina Prediction: World Cup 2026 Match Preview appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Czechia or South Africa could be the first team eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. We look ahead to the match with our preview and prediction. The post Czechia vs South Africa Prediction: World Cup 2026 Match Preview appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Colombia moved to the top of Group K with their win over Uzbekistan. Read how it happened, then analyse all the stats and play around in our Opta-powered World Cup chalkboards below. The post Uzbekistan 1-3 Colombia Stats: Díaz Stars on Winning World Cup Return appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Panama appeared set to earn their first ever point at the FIFA World Cup, but Ghana's Caleb Yirenkyi stepped up with the decisive goal late on. The post Ghana 1-0 Panama Stats: Yirenkyi’s Last-Gasp Winner Snatches Priceless Group L Win appeared first on Opta Analyst .
We look ahead to Thursday’s Group K clash in Mexico City with our Uzbekistan vs Colombia prediction and preview. Can the debutants make a winning start? The post Uzbekistan vs Colombia Prediction: World Cup 2026 Match Preview appeared first on Opta Analyst .
England were poor in the first half of their 2026 World Cup opener against Croatia but put in an excellent display after the break to earn a 4-2 win. The post How Imperfect England Turned It on in the Second Half to Power Past Croatia appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Find all the latest England vs Croatia stats using our data-packed match centre as Harry Kane and co get their 2026 World Cup campaign under way. The post England 4-2 Croatia Stats: Kane Brace Helps Inspire Impressive World Cup Start appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Who has scored the most goals at the World Cup? We look over the top scorers in men’s FIFA World Cup history, since the competition began in 1930. The post Most FIFA World Cup Goals: The Top Scorers appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Cristiano Ronaldo and co put in a disappointing performance to get their World Cup under way. Check out all the best data from the game with our Portugal vs DR Congo stats page The post Portugal 1-1 DR Congo Stats: Wissa Earns Congo’s First World Cup Point to Leave Portuguese Frustrated appeared first on Opta Analyst .
England midfielder Jude Bellingham set a new European record against Croatia, becoming the first player to make appearances at four major men's tournaments before turning 23. The post Jude Bellingham Becomes Youngest European to Play at Four Major Men’s Tournaments appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Lionel Messi's brilliance showed no sign of fading as Argentina kicked off their World Cup defence against Algeria. The 38-year-old scored all three goals in a historic victory that saw him equal the all-time World Cup scoring record and set several new records of his own. The post Every Record Lionel Messi Broke (Or Equalled) With His Hat-Trick Against Algeria appeared first on Opta Analyst .
As both sides start their FIFA World Cup campaign with a high-stakes clash in Toronto, we look ahead to Wednesday's Group L game with our Ghana vs Panama prediction and preview. The post Ghana vs Panama Prediction: World Cup 2026 Match Preview appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Who are the oldest FIFA World Cup scorers? We look back at the 10 oldest men to score a goal at the tournament, plus some other age-related goal records. The post The Oldest Players to Score at a World Cup appeared first on Opta Analyst .
We look ahead to Wednesday's heavyweight FIFA World Cup clash with our England vs Croatia prediction and preview. Can the Three Lions kick-start their campaign with a win? The post England vs Croatia Prediction: World Cup 2026 Match Preview appeared first on Opta Analyst .
We look ahead to Wednesday's Group K opener at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with our Portugal vs DR Congo preview. 10 years on from their Euro 2016 success, can Portugal get off to the perfect start with victory over the World Cup returnees? The post Portugal vs DR Congo Prediction: World Cup 2026 Match Preview appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Lionel Messi scored a record-breaking hat-trick to help Argentina defeat Algeria 3-0 and start their FIFA World Cup title defence in sensational fashion. The post Argentina 3-0 Algeria Stats: Messi Creates World Cup History with Sensational Hat-Trick appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Jordan continued the trend of World Cup debutants impressing in 2026, but they were ultimately beaten 3-1 by Austria in Group J. The post Austria 3-1 Jordan Stats: World Cup Debutants Fall Short as Austria Get First World Cup Win Since 1990 appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Lionel Messi reaches a massive milestone as he takes to the field against Algeria, 20 years on from his World Cup debut in Germany. The post Lionel Messi Makes History as First Player to Appear at Six World Cups appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Erling Haaland was inevitably the star of the show in Norway's 2026 FIFA World Cup opener, helping secure a 4-1 win over Iraq at Boston Stadium. The post Iraq 1-4 Norway Stats: Haaland Bags Brace to Star on World Cup Debut appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Austria are aiming to start their World Cup 2026 campaign in style on their first appearance at the global showpiece in 28 years. Look ahead to this Group J contest in San Francisco with our Austria vs Jordan prediction and preview. The post Austria vs Jordan Prediction: World Cup 2026 Match Preview appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Lionel Scaloni’s side are out to defend their World Cup crown. We look ahead to Wednesday’s clash with our Argentina vs Algeria prediction and preview. The post Argentina vs Algeria Prediction: World Cup 2026 Match Preview appeared first on Opta Analyst .
France had Bayern Munich midfielder Michael Olise to thank - just as much as Kylian Mbappé - for his part in their 3-1 win over Senegal. The post Kylian Mbappé Will Take the Headlines, But Michael Olise Was the Genius Behind France’s Win appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Using live win probability metrics, the Knicks-Spurs 2026 Finals ranks as the closest NBA playoff series of the last 25 years. The post Yes, Knicks-Spurs Really Was Great: It’s the Closest Series in the Last 25 NBA Playoffs appeared first on Opta Analyst .