Author: VPEsports Editorial Team

Portugal began with the kind of early goal that should calm a favourite. Joao Neves headed in Pedro Neto’s cross after six minutes, Cristiano Ronaldo started a record-equalling sixth World Cup, and the match looked set for Portuguese control. DR Congo refused that script and left Group K with a 1-1 draw that carries historical […]

England opened their World Cup campaign with a 4-2 win that contained almost everything Thomas Tuchel would want and fear at the same time. Harry Kane scored twice, Jude Bellingham took the second half by the collar, and Marcus Rashford finished the game late. Croatia also twice exposed England’s defensive spacing before the break. That […]

South Africa’s World Cup did not turn into a win in Atlanta, but Teboho Mokoena’s late penalty kept it alive. Czechia led from the sixth minute through Michal Sadilek and looked on course for a result that would have changed Group A. Instead, a handball call seven minutes from time gave South Africa their way […]

Switzerland needed patience before the scoreline finally reflected their control. For 73 minutes Bosnia and Herzegovina held the match in reach, but Johan Manzambi’s entrance changed the rhythm. The 20-year-old scored twice, Ruben Vargas added another, and Granit Xhaka closed the 4-1 win from the penalty spot. The result looked heavy by full time, but […]

Canada’s first senior men’s World Cup victory arrived with force. The 6-0 win over Qatar at BC Place was not only a historical result; it changed the shape of Group B. Jonathan David scored three, Cyle Larin and Nathan Saliba added goals, and Qatar finished with nine men after two red cards. Vancouver did not […]

Mexico did not need a beautiful attacking night to make the most important move in Group A. A 1-0 win over South Korea in Guadalajara was enough to send the co-hosts into the knockout stage and confirm that they will finish top of the section. It was a tense, narrow match rather than a festival, […]

A 48-team field gives ambitious nations more room than ever to gatecrash the knockouts. We profile the dark-horse blueprint and the talisman factor that powers a fairytale run.

The expanded 48-team format has delivered a group stage that is longer, hotter and harder to predict. We break down the favourites, the dark-horse groups and the tactical battle with the sun.