A TYPICAL confusion and chaos that comes with the opening whistle of a soccer game prevailed as the 2026 FIFA World Cup began amid apprehension and hope in Mexico, Canada, and the United States. A heavy political stamp was visible in the initial days before the game settled into its wonderful surprises and artistry in the first week. The opening week has already provided a trailer of things to come in the quadrennial showpiece that has been dominated by underdogs and upsets in the first phase. As expected, the United States administration decided to throw tantrums by limiting fans entry into the country and deporting a FIFA-approved referee from the airport itself on ridiculous charges. When the world criticised the US immigration action against the Somalian referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan who was sent back for “connection with terrorist groups”, the tiny African country celebrated his return as a hero who was denied his share of glory by a nation ruled by a mad-man.

 

It was a stunning political point by Somalia which refused to accept US immigration officials’ flimsy excuses for the nonsensical step. Though the referee will not be a part of this World Cup, he has made a statement for the FIFA to choose hosts who are level-headed and logical. With such a chaotic start to the World Cup, there was a fear of the actual action getting clouded by off-field developments. However, the game itself rose above the political pettiness in style and dished out a stuff that has come as perfect starters before the main course begins. All the things a football die-hard seeks from the World Cup were presented in the first week itself. There was Messi’s charisma translating into his first World Cup hat-trick, there was England’s solid show with a rousing victory, there was the off-colour play by Cristiano Ronaldo, there was a flurry of red-cards in a single match, and there were major statements from the underdogs who did not fear reputation of their talismanic opponents.

 

This World Cup will be remembered for the tremendous show put up by little-known teams like Cape Verde and DR Congo. Against the towering presence of Ronaldo DR Congo held its nerve and held Portugal for a 1-1 draw. It was a display of brilliant grit by the footballers from the small country which outshone the Portuguese legend. At the same time, debutant Cape Verde pulled off a stunner against reigning European champions Spain by holding them to a 0-0 draw. The nation of 5,30,000 population proved a tough nut to crack for the Spanish Armada earning high praise from all corners.

 

The smaller nations came to this tournament to fight and they went a step ahead in the opening week itself by staging upsets. As the tournament marches on to the next leg there will be heartbreaks for newcomers and hard lessons for some established teams in the group stages. But, such results add an additional glitter to the World Cup. More such shows are definitely in store when the big boys warm up for the next round. The beautiful game has overcome the initial blues and looks ready for a new dazzle.