Some Are Through – Others Are Still Sweating

After the second matchday, the 2026 World Cup is starting to separate the strong from the shaky. Mexico, the United States, Germany and Argentina have already secured top spot in their groups. Other favourites still have work to do – and for some teams, the final group match is already a knockout game in all but name.

Ghana frustrate England: the goalless draw against the Three Lions was one of the standout results of the second matchday.

The second matchday turned first impressions into clearer trends. After the opening games, almost everything could still be dismissed as an early snapshot. Now it is easier to see who is heading confidently towards the Round of 32, who is unexpectedly wobbling – and who has very little hope left before the final group match.

At the top are the teams that have already made the new format work in their favour. Mexico, the United States, Germany and Argentina have all taken two wins from two games. Because of the new head-to-head tiebreak rule, they have even secured first place in their groups already. That removes some suspense from their final fixtures, but it also shows that teams who deliver early can quickly create a comfortable position at this World Cup.

Germany, however, had to work much harder than in their 7-1 opening win over Curaçao. Against Ivory Coast, the easy start turned into a real test. Only Deniz Undav’s stoppage-time winner sealed the 2-1 victory – and brought relief. It was not a flawless performance, but it mattered: six points, top spot, knockout stage secured.

The hosts also took important steps forward. Mexico beat South Korea 1-0 and are still without conceding a goal. The United States defeated Australia 2-0 and are already through as well. Canada celebrated the first World Cup win in its history with a 6-0 victory over Qatar – although the evening was overshadowed by Ismaël Koné’s injury. Three hosts, three stories: controlled, solid, emotional.

Portugal and the Netherlands also delivered clear statements. Portugal swept aside Uzbekistan 5-0, with Cristiano Ronaldo once again writing World Cup history. The Netherlands responded to their 2-2 draw against Japan with a 5-1 win over Sweden. Spain also found their rhythm after the goalless draw with Cape Verde, beating Saudi Arabia 4-0. France and Argentina remain perfect after two matches.

But not every big name is cruising. England were held to a 0-0 draw by Ghana – a result that cooled the optimism after the 4-2 win over Croatia. Belgium are also still waiting for their first victory after two draws. And Portugal needed the second matchday to prove that their awkward opener against DR Congo was not a sign of things to come.

The underdogs remain one of the most interesting stories. Ghana frustrated England, Cape Verde followed their 0-0 against Spain with another point against Uruguay, Morocco moved to four points after beating Scotland, and Paraguay revived their hopes with a 1-0 win over Turkey. The second matchday showed that many smaller teams are not simply taking part – they are actively shaping the drama of the tournament.

For the ProXES betting competition, that makes things even more interesting. Some favourites are now easier to judge, while others remain risky. And then there is the new complexity: group winners are being confirmed earlier, but eight of the twelve third-placed teams can still advance. The final matchday will therefore be about much more than just reading the tables. Head-to-head records, goal difference and remaining hopes all come into play. In short: the World Cup is taking shape – but it is not getting any easier to predict.