World Cup
The Good, The Bad, and Uruguay’s Exit as Lionel Messi reiterates his greatness
by Chike Nwoye
28 Jun 2026
And just like that, the group stage of the World Cup is over. It gave us plenty of highs and lows, and we're here to break it all down before serving up our best bet predictions for the Round of 32.
And just like that, the group stage of the World Cup is over. It gave us plenty of highs and lows, and we're here to break it all down before serving up our best bet predictions for the Round of 32.
The Good
The World Cup got off to a brilliant start. Superstars like Mbappe and Haaland have delivered as expected, while relatively unknown names like Ismael Saibari and Pedro Vite have introduced themselves to a global audience. But as impressive as all those performances have been, there's only one place to kick off "The Good."
Lionel Messi’s GOAT Agenda Reinforced at another World Cup
In 2022, Lionel Messi completed football by leading Argentina to their third World Cup title. That triumph effectively ended the GOAT debate, and everything he's achieved since then - an eighth Ballon d'Or, another Copa América title, and an MLS Cup - has felt like jara. But it seems Messi isn't done just yet.
Six goals in three group-stage matches have seen him overtake Miroslav Klose as the outright top scorer in World Cup history. He also now holds the record for scoring in seven consecutive World Cup matches and has the most goals from outside the box in tournament history. At this point, it's complete overkill. It's like Thanos collecting all six Infinity Stones and then deciding to travel the multiverse looking for even more. Like bro, relax. You're the best. We get it. At this point, even Cristiano Ronaldo has to get it.
- Bet Builder: Argentina to Win + Lionel Messi Anytime Scorer @1.62
- Bet on Lionel Messi to Win the Golden Boot @1.90
An Insane Golden Boot race
Has there ever been a tournament where football's biggest stars all delivered goals consistently? The 2026 FIFA World Cup has certainly felt like one. Lionel Messi leads the Golden Boot race with six goals in just three games, which is absolutely ridiculous for a 39-year-old. Right behind him are Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Vinicius Jr, and Erling Haaland, all tied on four goals.
Then you've got other elite names like Harry Kane, Matheus Cunha, Yoane Wissa, and Denis Undav sitting on three apiece. This could go down as the greatest Golden Boot race in World Cup history and, even better, for anyone who loves the "Anytime Goalscorer" market, it's been an absolute goldmine.
World Cup Subs Have Made Significant Impact
Never has a World Cup highlighted that point more than this one. Making full use of the squad has been one of the defining themes of the group stage, with substitutes combining for 37 goals already. For context, that's more goals from the bench than in any entire World Cup since substitutes were first introduced in 1970. With five knockout rounds still to be played, I'd be surprised if that total doesn't climb beyond 50.
The most noteworthy of all the subs has been Deniz Undav whose 3 goals and 2 assists for Germany have all come from the bench. Our bet of the day is that, against Paraguay in the Round of 32, this trend will continue and we have the best odds for him to be the last scorer. It’s a chance to get 4x your betting stake which is great value for money.
Brian Brobbey - The Unlikely Dutch Hero
The Netherlands have almost always had an elite No. 9 leading the line. In the 80s and early 90s it was three-time Ballon d'Or winner Marco van Basten, followed by Patrick Kluivert and then Ruud van Nistelrooy in the 2000s. Then came Robin van Persie, who helped guide the Oranje to the 2010 World Cup final, before Memphis Depay eventually became the country's all-time leading scorer.
This time around, though, things felt different. There wasn't an established superstar to lead the attack. But Sunderland's Brian Brobbey has stepped up to fill that void. He played just five minutes in the opener against Japan, but after earning starts in the next two matches, he repaid Ronald Koeman's faith with three goals. The Dutch face their toughest test yet against Morocco on Tuesday, but if Brobbey can keep up this form, the Atlas Lions could be in for a very long night.
90% of CAF Teams Make it To R32
One of the biggest positives of this World Cup has been the performances of the African teams. I'll admit, I was a little worried after the opening round of matches, when they managed just two wins and six goals across 10 games. But what a turnaround it's been. An incredible nine of the 10 African nations have booked their place in the knockout stages, with only Tunisia missing out.
The Round of 32 won't be easy, as every African side except Egypt - who face Australia - are the betting underdogs. But that's a problem for another day. For now, this is a remarkable achievement that deserves to be celebrated. And yes... shame on Nigeria. I may never get over that embarrassment that was the Super Eagles World Cup qualifiers. This could have been us.
- Bet on Egypt To Beat Australia @2.48
- Bet on Senegal to Upset Belgium @2.41
- Bet on Morocco to Beat Netherlands @2.38
The Bad
There has been plenty of bad to unpack from this World Cup, but the obvious place to start is Asia. Seven of the continent's eight representatives crashed out in the group stage, making it one of the biggest disappointments of the tournament.
AFC Teams Stink It Up in the Group Stage of the World Cup
This was a World Cup to forget for Asia. Of the continent's eight representatives, only Japan managed to reach the knockout stage. And with Brazil waiting for them in the Round of 32, they may not be around for much longer - but let's not get ahead of ourselves.
Of the seven teams that crashed out, Uzbekistan, Jordan, and Iraq endured particularly miserable campaigns, losing all three of their group-stage matches. Credit must go to Iran, though. Despite the political unrest back home and the hostility they faced during their stay in the United States, they came agonisingly close to reaching the knockout rounds.
Tunisia’s Horrific Campaign
Tunisia's World Cup campaign couldn't have gone much worse, even if they had tried. Their CAF World Cup qualifying run was nothing short of remarkable: nine wins and a draw from 10 matches, 22 goals scored, and not a single one conceded. Yes, zero. So while they were always expected to face a much tougher challenge in a group featuring the Netherlands, Japan, and Sweden, losing all three matches with a goal difference of -10 was something nobody saw coming.
Sabri Lamouchi was dismissed after a humiliating 5-1 defeat to Sweden on Matchday 1, but his replacement, the highly respected Hervé Renard, couldn't stop the slide as Tunisia followed up with 4-0 and 3-1 defeats to Japan and the Netherlands respectively. It means all seven of Tunisia's World Cup appearances have ended the same way: a group-stage exit.
Türkiye: A Lesson in Humility
In what became one of the most talked-about moments before the tournament, Türkiye star Arda Güler was caught on camera in the tunnel ahead of their World Cup opener against Australia saying, "Come on! We're way better than them."
There's nothing wrong with confidence - I mean, I'm a huge Zlatan fan - but that didn't come across as confidence. It came across as arrogance, and the next 90 minutes made him eat those words. Türkiye went on to lose the match after producing a flat, lifeless performance that lacked any real sense of urgency. They never truly recovered from that defeat and eventually finished bottom of their group.
Norway Uncompetitive Approach (vs. France)
The football world had been counting down to Norway's Matchday 3 showdown with France, so it's fair to say the occasion fell well short of expectations. The match was billed as a clash between the two standout strikers of the new generation, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe, with both players scoring four goals in their opening two games. So you can imagine the collective disappointment when Norway announced 10 changes to their starting lineup, including Haaland.
In one sense, the decision made perfect sense. They had already secured qualification for the knockout stage and wanted to keep key players fresh. There was also the suggestion they preferred a Round of 32 meeting with Côte d'Ivoire over Sweden. Whatever the thinking, one thing is certain - we were robbed of what could have been an all-time classic, and the football gods don't usually let those things slide.
Own Goals Galore
Own goals have always been part of football. Sometimes it's just a cruel deflection or a moment of bad luck that leaves a defender or goalkeeper turning the ball into their own net. But they've become a noticeable trend during this World Cup. We've already seen 12 own goals, matching the tournament record set in 2018, and that's with the entire knockout phase still to come. Personally, I think the own goals will start to dry up from here as the overall quality of the remaining teams improves and the margins become even finer. Still, it's a remarkable statistic that's well worth highlighting.
The Ugly: Uruguay’s Exit
Uruguay's World Cup campaign ended in humiliation as Marcelo Bielsa's side crashed out of the group stage without winning a single match. A 1-0 defeat to Spain sealed their fate, leaving them third in Group H with just two points while tournament newcomers Cape Verde claimed the final knockout spot.
Bielsa accepted full responsibility, admitting he had "left nothing" during his three-year spell in charge and acknowledged that he failed to get the best out of a talented squad. However, the departing coach insisted Uruguay deserved far better, arguing they should have finished with seven points based on their performances but were punished by poor finishing, costly defensive errors, bad luck and terrible discipline.
One of those errors came from veteran goalkeeper Fernando Muslera whose costly mistake handed Spain the winning goal. Muslera was so embarrassed by the howler, he asked to be taken off at half-time. Meanwhile, captain Federico Valverde faced growing criticism after an underwhelming tournament that capped a difficult year on and off the field.
The ugliness of Uruguay's 2026 World Cup elimination apparently goes well beyond the field. The AUF, Uruguay's soccer federation, has canceled the charter flight set to take players from their base camp in Mexico back to their capital city of Montevideo. Players will instead be left to take commercial flights either home or to vacations with their families.
Manchester United’s Manuel Ugarte perhaps got the harshest of the blows. Having endured a tough time at Old Trafford, the midfielder was hoping to impress potential suitors with his performances at the World Cup. Instead, a torn ACL means he’ll be out of action for most of the coming season, a major blow to his career.
This early exit marks Uruguay's second consecutive group-stage elimination after also falling short in 2022, raising serious questions about the direction of one of South America's traditional football powers despite boasting a squad filled with established international stars.
Get in on all the World Cup action with BetKing, and tap into our daily odds boosts from the rest of the group stage into the knockout rounds. Sign up on the best betting app today, and book a bet with the code above to profit from these great tips. Remember to bet responsibly and join our Telegram community for daily updates and free bets.
The Good
The World Cup got off to a brilliant start. Superstars like Mbappe and Haaland have delivered as expected, while relatively unknown names like Ismael Saibari and Pedro Vite have introduced themselves to a global audience. But as impressive as all those performances have been, there's only one place to kick off "The Good."
Lionel Messi’s GOAT Agenda Reinforced at another World Cup
In 2022, Lionel Messi completed football by leading Argentina to their third World Cup title. That triumph effectively ended the GOAT debate, and everything he's achieved since then - an eighth Ballon d'Or, another Copa América title, and an MLS Cup - has felt like jara. But it seems Messi isn't done just yet.
Six goals in three group-stage matches have seen him overtake Miroslav Klose as the outright top scorer in World Cup history. He also now holds the record for scoring in seven consecutive World Cup matches and has the most goals from outside the box in tournament history. At this point, it's complete overkill. It's like Thanos collecting all six Infinity Stones and then deciding to travel the multiverse looking for even more. Like bro, relax. You're the best. We get it. At this point, even Cristiano Ronaldo has to get it.
- Bet Builder: Argentina to Win + Lionel Messi Anytime Scorer @1.62
- Bet on Lionel Messi to Win the Golden Boot @1.90
An Insane Golden Boot race
Has there ever been a tournament where football's biggest stars all delivered goals consistently? The 2026 FIFA World Cup has certainly felt like one. Lionel Messi leads the Golden Boot race with six goals in just three games, which is absolutely ridiculous for a 39-year-old. Right behind him are Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Vinicius Jr, and Erling Haaland, all tied on four goals.
Then you've got other elite names like Harry Kane, Matheus Cunha, Yoane Wissa, and Denis Undav sitting on three apiece. This could go down as the greatest Golden Boot race in World Cup history and, even better, for anyone who loves the "Anytime Goalscorer" market, it's been an absolute goldmine.
World Cup Subs Have Made Significant Impact
Never has a World Cup highlighted that point more than this one. Making full use of the squad has been one of the defining themes of the group stage, with substitutes combining for 37 goals already. For context, that's more goals from the bench than in any entire World Cup since substitutes were first introduced in 1970. With five knockout rounds still to be played, I'd be surprised if that total doesn't climb beyond 50.
The most noteworthy of all the subs has been Deniz Undav whose 3 goals and 2 assists for Germany have all come from the bench. Our bet of the day is that, against Paraguay in the Round of 32, this trend will continue and we have the best odds for him to be the last scorer. It’s a chance to get 4x your betting stake which is great value for money.
Brian Brobbey - The Unlikely Dutch Hero
The Netherlands have almost always had an elite No. 9 leading the line. In the 80s and early 90s it was three-time Ballon d'Or winner Marco van Basten, followed by Patrick Kluivert and then Ruud van Nistelrooy in the 2000s. Then came Robin van Persie, who helped guide the Oranje to the 2010 World Cup final, before Memphis Depay eventually became the country's all-time leading scorer.
This time around, though, things felt different. There wasn't an established superstar to lead the attack. But Sunderland's Brian Brobbey has stepped up to fill that void. He played just five minutes in the opener against Japan, but after earning starts in the next two matches, he repaid Ronald Koeman's faith with three goals. The Dutch face their toughest test yet against Morocco on Tuesday, but if Brobbey can keep up this form, the Atlas Lions could be in for a very long night.
90% of CAF Teams Make it To R32
One of the biggest positives of this World Cup has been the performances of the African teams. I'll admit, I was a little worried after the opening round of matches, when they managed just two wins and six goals across 10 games. But what a turnaround it's been. An incredible nine of the 10 African nations have booked their place in the knockout stages, with only Tunisia missing out.
The Round of 32 won't be easy, as every African side except Egypt - who face Australia - are the betting underdogs. But that's a problem for another day. For now, this is a remarkable achievement that deserves to be celebrated. And yes... shame on Nigeria. I may never get over that embarrassment that was the Super Eagles World Cup qualifiers. This could have been us.
- Bet on Egypt To Beat Australia @2.48
- Bet on Senegal to Upset Belgium @2.41
- Bet on Morocco to Beat Netherlands @2.38
The Bad
There has been plenty of bad to unpack from this World Cup, but the obvious place to start is Asia. Seven of the continent's eight representatives crashed out in the group stage, making it one of the biggest disappointments of the tournament.
AFC Teams Stink It Up in the Group Stage of the World Cup
This was a World Cup to forget for Asia. Of the continent's eight representatives, only Japan managed to reach the knockout stage. And with Brazil waiting for them in the Round of 32, they may not be around for much longer - but let's not get ahead of ourselves.
Of the seven teams that crashed out, Uzbekistan, Jordan, and Iraq endured particularly miserable campaigns, losing all three of their group-stage matches. Credit must go to Iran, though. Despite the political unrest back home and the hostility they faced during their stay in the United States, they came agonisingly close to reaching the knockout rounds.
Tunisia’s Horrific Campaign
Tunisia's World Cup campaign couldn't have gone much worse, even if they had tried. Their CAF World Cup qualifying run was nothing short of remarkable: nine wins and a draw from 10 matches, 22 goals scored, and not a single one conceded. Yes, zero. So while they were always expected to face a much tougher challenge in a group featuring the Netherlands, Japan, and Sweden, losing all three matches with a goal difference of -10 was something nobody saw coming.
Sabri Lamouchi was dismissed after a humiliating 5-1 defeat to Sweden on Matchday 1, but his replacement, the highly respected Hervé Renard, couldn't stop the slide as Tunisia followed up with 4-0 and 3-1 defeats to Japan and the Netherlands respectively. It means all seven of Tunisia's World Cup appearances have ended the same way: a group-stage exit.
Türkiye: A Lesson in Humility
In what became one of the most talked-about moments before the tournament, Türkiye star Arda Güler was caught on camera in the tunnel ahead of their World Cup opener against Australia saying, "Come on! We're way better than them."
There's nothing wrong with confidence - I mean, I'm a huge Zlatan fan - but that didn't come across as confidence. It came across as arrogance, and the next 90 minutes made him eat those words. Türkiye went on to lose the match after producing a flat, lifeless performance that lacked any real sense of urgency. They never truly recovered from that defeat and eventually finished bottom of their group.
Norway Uncompetitive Approach (vs. France)
The football world had been counting down to Norway's Matchday 3 showdown with France, so it's fair to say the occasion fell well short of expectations. The match was billed as a clash between the two standout strikers of the new generation, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe, with both players scoring four goals in their opening two games. So you can imagine the collective disappointment when Norway announced 10 changes to their starting lineup, including Haaland.
In one sense, the decision made perfect sense. They had already secured qualification for the knockout stage and wanted to keep key players fresh. There was also the suggestion they preferred a Round of 32 meeting with Côte d'Ivoire over Sweden. Whatever the thinking, one thing is certain - we were robbed of what could have been an all-time classic, and the football gods don't usually let those things slide.
Own Goals Galore
Own goals have always been part of football. Sometimes it's just a cruel deflection or a moment of bad luck that leaves a defender or goalkeeper turning the ball into their own net. But they've become a noticeable trend during this World Cup. We've already seen 12 own goals, matching the tournament record set in 2018, and that's with the entire knockout phase still to come. Personally, I think the own goals will start to dry up from here as the overall quality of the remaining teams improves and the margins become even finer. Still, it's a remarkable statistic that's well worth highlighting.
The Ugly: Uruguay’s Exit
Uruguay's World Cup campaign ended in humiliation as Marcelo Bielsa's side crashed out of the group stage without winning a single match. A 1-0 defeat to Spain sealed their fate, leaving them third in Group H with just two points while tournament newcomers Cape Verde claimed the final knockout spot.
Bielsa accepted full responsibility, admitting he had "left nothing" during his three-year spell in charge and acknowledged that he failed to get the best out of a talented squad. However, the departing coach insisted Uruguay deserved far better, arguing they should have finished with seven points based on their performances but were punished by poor finishing, costly defensive errors, bad luck and terrible discipline.
One of those errors came from veteran goalkeeper Fernando Muslera whose costly mistake handed Spain the winning goal. Muslera was so embarrassed by the howler, he asked to be taken off at half-time. Meanwhile, captain Federico Valverde faced growing criticism after an underwhelming tournament that capped a difficult year on and off the field.
The ugliness of Uruguay's 2026 World Cup elimination apparently goes well beyond the field. The AUF, Uruguay's soccer federation, has canceled the charter flight set to take players from their base camp in Mexico back to their capital city of Montevideo. Players will instead be left to take commercial flights either home or to vacations with their families.
Manchester United’s Manuel Ugarte perhaps got the harshest of the blows. Having endured a tough time at Old Trafford, the midfielder was hoping to impress potential suitors with his performances at the World Cup. Instead, a torn ACL means he’ll be out of action for most of the coming season, a major blow to his career.
This early exit marks Uruguay's second consecutive group-stage elimination after also falling short in 2022, raising serious questions about the direction of one of South America's traditional football powers despite boasting a squad filled with established international stars.
Get in on all the World Cup action with BetKing, and tap into our daily odds boosts from the rest of the group stage into the knockout rounds. Sign up on the best betting app today, and book a bet with the code above to profit from these great tips. Remember to bet responsibly and join our Telegram community for daily updates and free bets.