World Cup 2026: goals galore as the tournament kicks off in style

With the second round of the group stage just underway, the opening matchday of the 2026 World Cup delivered a true attacking spectacle.

A total of 75 goals have been scored across 24 matches, averaging 3.13 goals per game. This 2026 edition has seen the most explosive start since the 1958 World Cup.

This high average isn't just down to a handful of lopsided scorelines. Aside from Germany’s 7-1 rout of Curaçao, Sweden’s 5-1 demolition of Tunisia, and England’s 4-2 win over Croatia, most matches have remained hotly contested. You have to go back to the 1958 tournament in Sweden to find a more prolific opening round, with an average of 3.63 goals per match.

Joshua SOSSOU

Editorfr, en, ar

As a sports fan, and particularly a football fan, I've been putting my writing talent to good use for a number of years now to promote African talent and the continent's football in general. On Foot Africa, enjoy reading each of my lines.

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