The primary day of the is over, and we noticed all of it: fairly targets, ugly targets, quite a few document playing cards, and a gap ceremony that most individuals in the USA didn’t get to see.
Listed below are the winners and losers of the opening 24 hours of the World Cup.
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GUADALAJARA, MEXICO – JUNE 11: Myung-Bo Hong, Head Coach of , celebrates with Hyeon-Gyu Oh #18 of Korea Republic after the workforce’s victory within the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A match between Korea Republic and Czechia at Guadalajara Stadium on June 11, 2026 in Guadalajara, Mexico. (Picture by Lars Baron/Getty Photographs)
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Following an objectively messy opening recreation between and , there was little hype going into Czechia and South Korea. However what became the secondary recreation of Day 1 on the World Cup became an on the spot basic, with each groups throwing themselves on the purpose in a heated battle. Whereas South Korea got here out on prime 2-1, Czechia almost grabbed management of the sport from a set piece purpose that was waved off because of an offside.
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Loser: FOX
You by no means need hundreds of thousands of individuals watching your broadcast on opening day, and that’s what occurred with FOX. Whereas a lot of the manufacturing was sturdy (we’ll get to one of many pluses later) and their new pundit desk is entertaining, it isn’t entertaining sufficient to overlook the opening ceremony in Mexico Metropolis. Worse than that, although, they missed a little bit of the vs. South Africa recreation following a hydration break because of an advert working too lengthy.
Winner: Referee Cam
Referee cam rocks. Whereas we’ve seen it within the Premier League and another check fields first, attending to see precise highlights on-field from the attitude of the officers is superior. Extra ref cam, much less adverts throughout hydration breaks.
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Loser: South Africa
It’s harsh to punch down on who was thought-about the weakest workforce in Group A coming into the event, however I’ve to place South Africa right here. Czechia misplaced however confirmed a variety of battle and a few precise strengths (their top and set items) that would see them choose up a win this World Cup. South Africa, although? It was a tricky watch, and that’s not even together with the double purple playing cards.
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