The 2026 FIFA World Cup is delivering exactly what 48-team expansionists promised: more drama, more upsets, and more globally relevant storylines. On June 30, Norway, France, and Mexico all punched their tickets to the Round of 16, each with convincing performances that left little doubt about their credentials.
Three wins, three different stories
Mexico handled Ecuador with a clean 2-0 victory. For a nation hosting World Cup matches on home soil for the first time since 1986, the result carries weight beyond the scoreboard.
France made their match against Sweden look like a training exercise. Kylian Mbappe scored twice in a 3-0 demolition, reminding everyone why he remains the most dangerous forward in international football.
Norway’s path was the narrowest. A 2-1 win over Ivory Coast required Erling Haaland to do what Erling Haaland does: find the net at the moment it mattered most. The last time Norway appeared at a World Cup was 1998.
