The World Cup 2026 group stage is three days old. South Africa have lost their opener, Morocco face Brazil on Day 3, and Ghana’s debut is four days away. Full standings update.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is three days old and the group stage is already delivering the drama Nigerian football fans were hoping for. The tournament — spread across 16 venues in the United States, Canada and Mexico — opened on June 11 with Mexico defeating South Africa 2-0, a painful start for one of Africa’s eight representatives. Day 2 brought a flurry of goals and surprises, including the USA rolling over Paraguay 4-1 and South Korea edging Czechia 2-1. Now Day 3 arrives with the most anticipated fixture of the group stage so far: Brazil vs Morocco at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey.
For fans of African football, this is a tournament to follow closely. Eight African nations qualified — the highest number the continent has ever sent to a single World Cup. Nigeria may not be among them, but the Super Eagles’ absence only sharpens the focus on who carries African football forward from here.
The opening match on June 11 set the tone. Mexico, backed by a partisan home crowd in Mexico City, defeated South Africa 2-0 in Group A. It was a deflating start for Bafana Bafana — South Africa’s first World Cup since 2010 — and coach Hugo Broos now knows his side must respond in their next fixture to stay in contention. You can read more about South Africa in our South Africa World Cup 2026 guide.
Day 2 produced more goals. South Korea beat Czechia 2-1 in a competitive Group H opener. The day’s biggest result was the USA’s 4-1 demolition of Paraguay in Group D at the Rose Bowl, Los Angeles — Folarin Balogun scored twice in a dominant USMNT display on home soil. Canada opened their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto, earning a point but slightly disappointing a home crowd that had expected more.
Saturday June 13 is defined by one match: Brazil vs Morocco in Group C, kicking off at 23:00 WAT (6pm ET) at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. This is the only group-stage game to feature two teams ranked in the top ten of FIFA’s world rankings — and it doubles as Africa’s headline match of the opening week.
Brazil arrive as five-time World Cup champions under Carlo Ancelotti, their new manager who brought order and ambition after a turbulent CONMEBOL qualifying campaign. They head into this tournament as one of the four or five genuine contenders, and their attacking trio of Vinicius Junior, Raphinha and teenager Endrick is the talk of every pundit preview. Neymar Jr. remains sidelined with a calf problem, but the squad’s quality is deep enough to absorb that.
Morocco are attempting to write the next chapter of their remarkable story. Their full Morocco World Cup 2026 squad and fixtures guide shows a team built for discipline, shape and counter-attack. Coach Walid Regragui masterminded their 2022 semi-final run by making Morocco virtually impossible to break down. He will ask the same of his players here, even with Nayef Aguerd (injured) and Abde Ezzalzouli (knee) both missing.
Bet9ja price Brazil at 1.75 to win the match, Morocco at 5.00, and the draw at 3.20. Market consensus leans toward a narrow Brazilian victory, but Morocco’s ability to win ugly makes this one of the most genuinely unpredictable fixtures of the group stage.
Group B gets underway tonight too. Qatar face Switzerland at Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara at 20:00 WAT. Switzerland are overwhelming favourites — Bet9ja price them at 1.30 — and their European pedigree makes this a formality on paper. Qatar, who qualified as the previous World Cup hosts, have struggled for goals and form. A Swiss win and a controlled scoreline is the most likely outcome.
Group C wraps up the night with Haiti vs Scotland at Gillette Stadium, kicking off at 9pm ET (02:00 WAT Sunday). Scotland are at their first World Cup since 1998, and they are firm favourites at 1.60 on Bet9ja against a Haiti side making only their second-ever appearance at the finals. The Tartan Army deserve their day in the sun after 28 years of hurt.
Eight African nations are competing at this World Cup, the most the continent has ever sent. Here is a quick status check heading into Day 3:
South Africa (Group A): Lost 2-0 to Mexico on Day 1. Must win their next match. Bafana Bafana fans will be concerned. See the South Africa World Cup 2026 guide.
Morocco (Group C): Play Brazil today at 23:00 WAT. Their biggest challenge — and their best chance to announce themselves as contenders. See the Morocco World Cup 2026 guide.
Ghana (Group L): Yet to play. The Black Stars face Panama on June 17 in their group opener, then England on June 23 and Croatia on June 27. Group L is wide open and Ghana fans are cautiously optimistic. See the Ghana World Cup 2026 guide.
Tunisia (Group F), Senegal (Group I), Algeria (Group J), Egypt (Group G), DR Congo (Group K): All still awaiting their first group-stage fixtures in the coming days. The tournament is young — and African football still has much to write.
Day 4 on June 14 brings another full slate of group-stage fixtures, including Australia vs Türkiye in Group D. The group stage runs through to June 30, with African teams spread across the schedule. For Nigerian fans following the tournament, the next landmark is June 17 — when Ghana make their Group L debut against Panama.
Check back daily for previews, tips, accumulator picks and African team updates throughout the tournament. For all today’s betting tips in one place, see our World Cup 2026 June 13 fixtures preview and betting guide.
