The first round of World Cup group stage games has drawn to a close
This is the first time the group stage has comprised 12 groups of four teams
Which confederation will be happiest after the first 24 games?
With 75 goals scored at an average of 3.13 per game, records falling left and right, and star turns from both expected and unexpected sources, the is already firing on all cylinders.
With all 48 contenders now having played one game apiece, FIFA goes confederation by confederation explore their nations' fortunes so far. Which continent gave the best account of itself as the competition kicked off in earnest?
Number of teams represented: 9 Results: 2 wins, 4 draws, 3 defeats Win percentage: 22.2% Average points won per team: 1.11
Asian sides got off to a flying start at the World Cup. Of the first three AFC teams to play, Korea Republic and Australia both won their opening games, and Qatar managed a battling 1-1 draw against a Switzerland side that many expected to win comfortably. Unfortunately, things then began to tail off. Saudi Arabia, Japan and IR Iran all achieved creditable draws, but Iraq fell to defeat on their return to the world stage, while debutants Jordan and Uzbekistan all suffered defeat.
Number of teams represented: 10 Results: 2 wins, 4 draws, 4 defeats Win percentage: 20% Average points won per team: 1
After a historic showing for the continent at the last World Cup in Qatar, in which African sides achieved eight victories and Morocco progressed to the semi-finals, this tournament has given CAF teams less to cheer about so far. Last-gasp goals for Côte d'Ivoire, who overcame Ecuador, and Ghana, who got past Panama, have been required for African teams to claim three points.
Morocco gave Brazil a hard time in their match, but were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw, with the Atlas Lion joining three other African sides with one point after one game. Cabo Verde and Congo DR achieved tremendously creditable draws against Spain and Portugal respectively, while Egypt also impressed in a tie with Belgium. Meanwhile, South Africa, Algeria, Senegal and Tunisia are yet to get off the mark, with Tunisia dismissing coach Sabri Lamouchi after their 5-1 loss to Sweden.
Number of teams represented: 6 Results: 2 wins, 1 draw, 3 defeats Win percentage: 33.3% Average points won per team: 1.17
It was the host nations who carried the torch for North America, Central America and the Caribbean; the trio were the only sides from the confederation to avoid defeat. USA and Mexico both won their openers, and Canada also had something to celebrate with their first ever World Cup. Haiti and Panama both came close to commendable draws, but both conceded late winners, with their matches finishing 1-0. Curaçao, meanwhile, would have expected a challenging tie against Germany. Their fears were well founded, with the European side claiming a 7-1 victory.
Number of teams represented: 6 Results: 2 wins, 2 draws, 2 defeats Win percentage: 33.3% Average points won per team: 1.33
South America has the most balanced record of all the confederations so far. The continent’s sides got off to an unusually faltering start, with not a single CONMEBOL team tasting victory in the first four matches. Brazil and Uruguay shared the spoils with Morocco and Saudi Arabia respectively, while Ecuador and Paraguay both lost. It was the final two teams to kick off their campaign who finally put the confederation on the board. Lionel Messi’s hat-trick ensured Argentina took all three points, while the talented Luis Diaz helped Colombia to a win of their own.
Number of teams represented: 16 Results: 7 wins, 6 draws, 3 defeats Win percentage: 43.8% Average points won per team: 1.69
No confederation has more teams at the tournament than UEFA and, while European sides have not had it all their own way so far, the continent is by far the closest to achieving a 50% win record. The only all-European tie of the first week saw England defeat Croatia 4-2, while Czechia and Türkiye both succumbed to losses too. Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Netherlands and, more surprisingly, Spain, Portugal and Switzerland, were all held to draws. As well as the Three Lions, Germany, Austria, Scotland, France, Norway and Sweden all finished the first round of matches with three points to their name.
Results: 0 wins, 1 draw, 0 defeats Average points won per team: 1
The numbers are far easier to crunch for the OFC, whose only representative at this World Cup is New Zealand. With an exciting 2-2 draw against IR Iran, the talented Elijah Just and his team-mates notched up a fourth consecutive World Cup draw for their country, with the next goal to leave North America with the nation’s first ever World Cup win under their belts.
Sources: FIFA Official
