I don’t know if someone’s been cutting onions or if I’m just getting soft in my old age (the late 20s are hitting me hard), but I was getting emotional watching last week’s slate of World Cup action. We’re fast approaching the midway point of the 2026 World Cup Group Stage, and we’ve already been privy to some truly legendary moments. I can’t have all of this building up inside me, so I’ve got to share some of my thoughts from the first bite at the apple from all 48 teams — doctor’s orders. 

Rather than break down all 24 of the initial group stage matches, I’ve opted to home in on some of my favorite storylines, from plucky Davids ready to slay to mighty Goliaths who came to play. We’re keeping it positive out here, because World Cup vibes are the best vibes, and I’m having the time of my life. 

Disclaimer: When I say I got emotional, I mean I started waxing lyrical about what inspired me. So please bear with me when I get lost in the soccer sauce. 

“Little Guys” I Love

Instead of a clever little intro here, I’ll give you a list of nations followed by a little something I wrote channeling the emotion of the Cabo Verde draw:

Curaçao, Cabo Verde, DR Congo

Here we stand — where the giants swing their mighty hands — unwavering and unblinking, fast enough to dodge their sweeping swipes. We refuse to be crushed. It’s only by dreaming that we got this far; what good would it do to give in now? No! Let the massive mitt of the oddsmaker’s favorite pass harmlessly by. 

We are here — and we belong. 

May we rest easy after the final whistle blows.  

And may we dream of giant slayers all night long.

You picking up what I’m putting down, there? 

Sure, Curaçao lost 7-1. But that moment when they scored their first-ever goal at the World Cup? Somehow, that moment of pure, unadulterated joy overshadowed everything that came after. A first goal at the World Cup for the smallest nation to ever qualify. Not only that, an equalizing goal against a nation of soccer royalty. That moment — cut out of time and enjoyed in isolation — is what this tournament, this very game, is all about. If that doesn’t make you emotional, you gotta watch a game with me. Watch Haiti play with a bravery that should scare the rest of Group C. Watch Jordan and Uzbekistan rally against the giants of Groups J and K in their maiden World Cups.

Special moments don’t have to have a trophy lift at the end. Heck, they don’t even require that you win the game. If — even for no more than a few minutes — the very soul of a nation catches fire unlike ever before, then the tournament has done its job. This is why we’re here, folks. I love this game.

How the Favorites Fare

As far as traditional powerhouses go, only a handful really came out swinging — but boy, were they swinging hard. First, Kylian Mbappe reminded the world just how incredible he is, bagging a jaw-dropping brace to close the gap at the top of the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer chart and down a very talented Senegal side. Lionel Messi took that challenge personally, though, dropping another masterclass against Algeria to give Argentina a comfortable 3-0 win to start their title defense. 

While each of those individual performances were supplemented by very capable teammates (Michael Olise was a revelation for France), there was one performance that stood out as the most dominant in my eyes: England’s 4-2 win over Croatia. Traditionally one of the hardest teams in the world to break down, this admittedly aging Croatia side looked like Swiss cheese against the Three Lions, whose talent and cohesion were breathtaking to watch in action. Harry Kane is almost certainly the best striker alive, and the seemingly endless supply of game-changing substitutes at Thomas Tuchel’s disposal make this the deepest team in the entire tournament. 

Some disappointing results for the likes of Spain, Portugal, and Brazil avoided the “disaster” category, as each of them came out with a point. That said, draws against Cabo Verde and DR Congo should concern fans from the Iberian Peninsula, while a draw against Morocco should simply serve as a reminder to Brazil that the level at this tournament is remarkably high. 

Now, in my own personal bracket, I have the Netherlands playing Japan in the final. I don’t want to hear any doubters here; it’s possible. I think it’s fair to say that their 2-2 draw is still one of the best matches of the tournament thus far, and while neither nation has the silverware that the aforementioned three teams do, I feel they deserve a shout in this section. Game two will tell us a lot about how we should be thinking about these two sides, and I reserve the right to move them out of this section as necessary. Wishy washy, you say? I prefer to be called adaptable. 

If I were a betting man  — which my Midwest morals prohibit — I’d put a CHUNK of change on England to win it all, with France and Argentina tied at a close second option. After the groups settle, I’ll give you an update on where my dream finalists rank as well.

Pleasant Surprises

I didn’t tell you about this section — guess that makes it a surprise? HA! There’ve been several standout performers that have defied expectations in their own unique ways. Neither underdogs nor favorites, these teams operate in that liminal space where only diehard fans really expect anything from them. This is where you’d find your dark horses, folks, so if you’re looking to be a little trendy, this section is for you. 

First, you’ve got our three host nations. Canada’s 6-0 win over Qatar in game two got them off my disappointment list, while Mexico’s consistency and the USMNT’s liquid football earned them outright spots in this section. I don’t want to jinx anything, but with Mexico already winning their group and the other two hosts on track to do the same, I’d love to think at least one of these three could reach the quarters, at the very least. 

As far as other surprises go, Sweden stands out as the most shocking. After just barely scraping their way into the tournament, a truly dominant performance over Tunisia showed that, on their day, Graham Potter’s adopted nation can make a splash this summer. I already spoke about Australia in my USMNT preview, but the strength of their performance deserves to be recognized here as well. Well done, Socceroos. 

The talent on both Norway and Colombia’s rosters probably makes them fringe favorites, but I consider them dark horses that have lived up to the expectation through their opening games. If they can heat up from here, both sides could make deep runs this year. 

If I don’t stop now, I could go on forever, and I’ve already said too much. There are games to be watched, people! The fun never stops! Root for the little guys, dodge a little bit of work, find a group to watch with. Make some new friends through the beautiful game, and make sure you pack this summer full of memories. You won’t forget it anytime soon, I promise.