Cape Verde, Egypt make World Cup history as 48-team format defies critics

Cape Verde drew 2-2 with two-time champions Uruguay in Miami, becoming the first World Cup debutants to go unbeaten through two matches since Senegal in 2002.bbc
Egypt beat New Zealand 3-1 in Vancouver behind a goal and assist from Mohamed Salah, securing the nation’s first World Cup victory in their ninth tournament appearance.bbc
The upsets have silenced critics of the expanded 48-team format, after UEFA’s president reportedly called the added matches “uninteresting” before kickoff.aljazeera

Expanded 48-Team World Cup Defies Early Skepticism With Upsets and Underdog Drama

Two weeks into the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the expanded 48-team format that drew widespread criticism before kickoff has produced a tournament rich in competitive matches and underdog stories, rewriting the narrative that adding lower-ranked nations would dilute the competition.

Cape Verde’s Fairy Tale Leads the Way

No team better encapsulates the tournament’s surprises than Cape Verde, the island nation of roughly 525,000 people making its World Cup debut. Ranked 67th in the world, Cape Verde opened with a stunning 0-0 draw against second-ranked Spain in Atlanta on June 14, then followed it up Sunday with a 2-2 comeback against two-time champions Uruguay in Miami. Kevin Pina scored what was Cape Verde’s first-ever World Cup goal in the 21st minute against Uruguay before the South Americans responded with two goals before halftime. Undeterred, Cape Verde equalized in the second half to earn a point that gives them a 67 percent chance of reaching the knockout rounds, according to The Athletic.aljazeera

The BBC noted Cape Verde became the first World Cup debutants to remain unbeaten through their first two matches since Senegal in 2002.bbc

Egypt’s Historic Breakthrough

Sunday also saw Egypt secure their first-ever World Cup victory, a 3-1 defeat of New Zealand in Vancouver. Goals from Mostafa Zico, Mohamed Salah, and Mahmoud Trezeguet completed a comeback after New Zealand took an early lead through Finn Surman. The 34-year-old Salah’s goal in the 67th minute proved decisive, lifting the Pharaohs to the top of Group G on their ninth attempt at a World Cup win. Tens of thousands of Egyptians gathered at a fan zone in the New Capital at 4 a.m. to celebrate, with countless more flooding the streets of Cairo.thenationalnews

Critics Answered, Knockout Stage Approaches

Before the tournament began, criticism of the expanded format was pointed. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin reportedly suggested the 48-team field would produce “uninteresting” matches, prompting 13 participating federations from Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean to issue a joint statement demanding “respect”. The Associated Press reported that predictions of lopsided affairs have been contradicted by results on the pitch.nytimes

The group stage continues through June 27, with the newly introduced Round of 32 set to begin June 28. With 32 teams advancing — the top two from each of the 12 groups plus the eight best third-placed sides — the expanded format has so far delivered on its promise of broader global representation without sacrificing competitive quality.wikipedia