Mexico, France and Norway storm into World Cup round of 16

Mexico’s 2-0 win over South Africa in the World Cup opener gave the host nation the day’s most consequential result, opening the 2026 tournament in front of a home crowd at Mexico City Stadium and putting pressure on every other contender in the bracket. Julián Quiñones struck in the 9th minute, Raúl Jiménez doubled the lead in the 67th, and César Montes added a late goal in the 90'+2' minute to finish a statement start for the Selección de México.

That opening-night victory carried more than three points. It set the tone for a tournament that began on June 11 and runs to July 19 across 16 cities in Canada, Mexico and the United States, with 48 teams and 104 matches spread across the expanded format. For Mexico, the significance was immediate: co-host, opener and winner, with the pressure of a global showcase turned into a result that lifted expectations at home.

France answered the group stage with a 3-1 defeat of Senegal on June 16 at New York/New Jersey Stadium, powered by Kylian Mbappé’s two goals and Bradley Barcola’s strike. FIFA named Mbappé the player of the match, and the performance added to a World Cup résumé that already carried extra weight. France had reached that point after winning all three of its group matches with 10 goals, and Mbappé later stood on 10 goals in knockout rounds, a mark that underlines how central he remains when the stakes rise.

Norway delivered the other headline win of the day, beating Iraq 4-1 on June 16 at Boston Stadium. Erling Haaland scored twice, Leo Østigård added another, and an Iraq own goal completed the scoreline. FIFA named Haaland the player of the match, and the victory marked Norway’s third World Cup win, a milestone that gives the side a firmer place in the knockout picture.

Taken together, the three results clarified the early balance of power: Mexico brought the loudest emotional charge as the host nation opened the tournament with authority, while France and Norway used their star forwards to impose themselves on the group stage and push the round of 16 toward familiar names with proven scoring power.