Do you have a favourite game of the World Cup so far? Could you order all of them? Well, that’s what we’re trying to do.The Athletic is ranking every game, from worst to best.Do you agree? Let us know in the comments.28. Group C, Haiti 0-1 ScotlandCongratulations to Scotland on a first World Cup win in 36 years but a game with 44 fouls and four shots on target (from 24 attempts) was never going to rank too high here.27. Group A, Czech Republic 1-1 South AfricaDesperation simply did not equate to risks and quality in these teams’ second group game. South Africa dominated possession after the Czech Republic’s early goal but struggled for cohesion at either end, while the Czechs sat deep but did not have much juice on the break.26. Group A, Mexico 2-0 South AfricaThe atmosphere in Mexico City was incredible, Julian Quinones was superb and Raul Jimenez’s goal was a reminder of the emotional weight the World Cup carries. But South Africa conceded through an error, attempted three shots worth 0.07 expected goals (xG) and offered little before and after their two red cards.25. Group B, Canada 1-1 Bosnia and HerzegovinaThe Sead Kolasinac game! The Bosnia captain got himself an assist, made a goal-line clearance, and was partly responsible for Cyle Larin’s 78th-minute equalizer, which ensured Canada’s wastefulness didn’t stop them from earning a first World Cup point.24. Group L, Ghana 1-0 PanamaGhana recorded zero shots in the first half and Panama, with 64 per cent possession, managed three. The second half, though, was a much better watch with a few big saves, a late goal from Caleb Yirenkyi, and an even later Panama chance created by goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera.23. Group B, Canada 6-0 QatarIf one-way traffic had a definition…Qatar offered nothing in attack or defence with 11 men and made multiple ridiculous tackles. Two of those brought red cards, with one seriously injuring Ismael Kone to cast a dark cloud over a dominant win.22. Group E, Germany 7-1 CuracaoThe only blot on an otherwise solid week one for fans of the World Cup expansion. Livano Comenencia’s equalizer and Dick Advocaat’s emotional reaction were great but this was a muscle flex if ever there was one. Germany’s xG of 4.2 was the fourth-most by a team in the past three World Cups and the second-most of this edition (behind Canada’s 4.5 against Qatar).21. Group G, Belgium 1-1 EgyptEgypt did not look overly reliant on Mohamed Salah even as he added to scoring their only goals in 2018 by assisting Emam Ashour. They posed a constant threat on the break against Rudi Garcia’s side, whose defensive organization was suspect and they needed Romelu Lukaku — who played 64 minutes for Napoli in all of 2025-26 — to force an own goal for a point.20. Group H, Saudi Arabia 1-1 UruguayUruguay scored from one of 27 shots, with their conversion rate of 3.7 per cent the second worst by a team in World Cups since 2018 (minimum one goal scored).Saudi Arabia were well worthy of their point. They defended with numbers and a high line that caught their opponents offside six times. Only two teams have done better in the same timeframe — Spain against Costa Rica in 2022 (seven) and Saudi Arabia themselves in that famous win over Argentina one day earlier (10).19. Group B, Qatar 1-1 SwitzerlandSwitzerland had two-thirds of the ball, and Dan Ndoye alone matched Qatar’s shot attempt tally of six. Yet, they only had Breel Embolo’s penalty to show for it and let the game wander, with Miro Muheim’s 94th-minute own goal securing Qatar’s first World Cup point.