A further eight nations got their FIFA World Cup 2026™ campaigns underway on day three, as the festival of football kicked into full swing with four matches across the USA and Canada.
Former OFC member association Australia held on for a gritty win as the first round of fixtures in both Groups B and D concluded, whilst elsewhere the World Cup’s most successful nation, Brazil, got Group C action underway.
Group B
Switzerland 1-1 Qatar
A dramatic equaliser in second half stoppage-time snatched a first FIFA World Cup point for Qatar in the opening game of the day. It came wildly against the run of play though, with Switzerland made to rue 27 shots and 70% of the possession.
Breel Embolo got the Swiss off to the perfect start with the opening goal, and the first of the World Cup from the penalty spot, in the 17th minute. However, they failed to put Qatar away despite dominating the contest, and the current Asian champions found a late equaliser in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
Group C
Brazil 1-1 Morocco
Five-time World Cup champions Brazil began their campaign with a draw against Morocco, in the only group stage match at FIFA World Cup 2026™ pitting two top ten ranked nations against each other. The current African champions made a bright start and stunned Brazil early when Ismael Saibari lifted a delicate chip over the head of goalkeeper Alisson for the opening goal in the 21st minute.
A moment of individual quality from Vinicius Junior levelled the contest for Brazil twelve minutes later, cutting in off the left flank and picking out the top-right corner. Whilst they failed to find the winner through the second half, the draw extends Brazil’s unbeaten record in opening World Cup fixtures to 92 years.
Haiti 0-1 Scotland
Scotland secured their first FIFA World Cup win since 1990 against Haiti in the second Group C match of the tournament. Both making long-awaited returns to the global finals, the stands in Boston were filled with the passionate fans of either nation, making for an electrifying and emotional contest.
John McGinn scored the only goal of the match, profiting from a heavy deflection off a Haitian defender in the 28th minute. Haiti fought hard for an equaliser, but failed to breach the opposition defence as a resilient Scottish side held on to secure an historic three points in the first match of their campaign.
Group D
Australia 2-0 Turkey
A resilient defensive display and two moments of individual quality on the break saw Australia defeat Turkey in Group D action. Turkey dominated proceedings throughout, but despite mustering 28 shots, failed to break through the Socceroos rearguard, marshalled by Harry Souttar and goalkeeper Patrick Beach.
Two goals on the counter-attack got the job done for Australia, Nestory Irankunda opening the scoring inside the first half hour after driving forward on a superb solo run. Connor Metcalfe then secured the three points in the final quarter, finding the bottom-right corner from long range, and sending the travelling support into raptures.
Results
Group B
Switzerland 1 (Breel Embolo 17’) Qatar 1 (Own Goal 90+4’)
(San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, San Francisco)
Group C
Brazil 1 (Vinícius Júnior 32’) Morocco 1 (Ismael Saibari 21’)
(New York New Jersey Stadium, New York)
Haiti 0 Scotland 1 (John McGinn 28’)
(Boston Stadium, Boston)
Group D
Australia 2 (Nestory Irankunda 27’, Connor Metcalfe 75’) Turkey 0
(BC Place, Vancouver)
Coming Up
Monday 15 June
Group E: Germany v Curacao (5AM NZT), Ivory Coast v Ecuador (11AM NZT)
Group F: Netherlands v Japan (8AM NZT), Sweden v Tunisia (2PM NZT)