The Group Stage of the Fairer World Cup is now underway, and we have already had plenty of entertainment… well, maybe not if you’ve been watching Bosnia & Herzegovina versus Egypt.
In the previous chapter, we opened up the tournament with Groups A and B, in which the United States and Canada faced some stiff tests in their quests to reach the knockout rounds.
But what about our other hosts – Mexico? Well, they enter the competition in today’s chapter, as they take on Albania, Iran and the Ivory Coast in Group C. We’ll then meet a much-changed Netherlands team in Group D, where we’ll also try to figure out what the hell is going on with that kit clash!
GROUP C
MEXICO
Mexico host their third World Cup amid a period of transition. Stalwarts like Guillermo Ochoa, Héctor Herrera and Javier Hernández have all gone – replaced by a new crop of skilful players who will hope to finally get La Tri past the last 16.
The next generation is headed by Texas-born striker Ricardo Pepi, who may or may not be joining Fulham this summer. Fellow rising star Luka Romero has also been gaining experience in Liga MX prior to the tournament. Frustratingly, the energetic right-back Julián Araujo has struggled for gametime at Barcelona (unlike his Uruguayan namesake Ronald).
For all their undoubted technical abilities, Mexico’s squad is a bit on the short side, and they could be vulnerable to set-pieces. While they would expect to get through their group comfortably, it’ll take a huge effort to defeat the first elite team they face in the knockout rounds.
IVORY COAST
The Ivory Coast’s golden generation of 2006-2014 never reached the World Cup knockout rounds, but the class of 2026 surely will. Beefed up with some powerful defenders and a couple of exciting young strikers, they finished 3rd at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations and are high on confidence.
Les Éléphants generally field a 4-4-2, with rising stars Karim Konaté and Junior Kroupi battling it out to be the out-and-out striker alongside the strong pressing forward Moise Kean. Defender Nathan Aké has just won his fourth successive Champions League with Manchester City – outclassing Marc Guéhi’s Newcastle 4-0 in the 2026 Final.
It’s hard to pick faults in this team, though the backline is a bit on the young side. 21-year-old goalkeeper Guillaume Restes is perhaps not yet ready for such a big stage, and his composure will be severly tested in the latter stages.
IRAN
Iran have made it safely to California, where they will play their first two matches of this World Cup. As arguably the technically weakest team in the group, they can afford precious few mistakes before their crunch tie against co-hosts Mexico.
A lot of pressure will be on the shoulders of Chelsea striker Mehdi Taremi, who has vast experience and will lead the line with authority. Further back, ‘Melli’ have a very tall and beefy squad, and Alireza Beiranvand is a fine goalkeeper, if a little eccentric and inconsistent. Left-back Milad Mohammadi’s long throws could be a useful weapon too… if he can execute them properly, that is.
Iran were very inconsistent in the qualifiers, and their last friendly before the tournament was a 2-1 defeat to Kyrgyzstan. With such a lethargic squad, they could be back home by the second weekend of the tournament.
ALBANIA
Ex-Brazil full-back Sylvinho is a national hero in Albania after leading them to their first World Cup. These plucky underdogs make up for their limited technical skills with being very organised at the back… and very clinical up front.
There is much excitement about the big young striker Nelson Weiper, who was Mainz’s main man in the Bundesliga this season. The agile Brajan Gruda loves to cut inside from the right wing to help Weiper, with Lazaros Rota providing further support from right wing-back.
A solid starting XI aside, Albania seem to lack real quality depth. As the tournament progresses, tired legs could ultimately stall the Red and Blacks’ hopes of a fairytale run.
MEXICO vs IVORY COAST
(11 June – Mexico City)
Mexico’s World Cup party was gatecrashed after just five minutes. Wilfried Singo headed in Serge Gnabry’s whipped cross to nab a very early opener for the Ivory Coast. Undeterred, right-back Julián Araujo escaped the clutches of Franck Kessié to pull La Tri back level 10 minutes before the break. Both teams had scored from their first shots on target.
Though Mexico were perhaps creating the better chances than their African opponents, their fans were noticeably frustrated when the team switched to a more defensive formation in the second half. Nonetheless, they went close to pulling ahead on 65 minutes, when lively midfielder Álvaro Fidalgo’s ambitious drive was clawed behind by the young Éléphants keeper Guillaume Restes.
Unlike their two co-hosts, however, Mexico couldn’t kick off with a win, as Fidalgo suffered a serious knee injury towards the end of a frustrating 1-1 draw. This mean Ivorian defence certainly seemed to be made of strong stuff.
ALBANIA vs IRAN
(11 June – Inglewood)
This was expected to be a tight match, and both teams came close to scoring late in the first half. Albania’s young striker Nelson Weiper glanced a header just past the far post, before the more experienced Iran midfielder Reza Asadi nodded a close-range effort against the bar.
Albania grew more confident in the second half – with holding midfielder Lindon Selahi proving a particular danger from long range – but that breakthrough never came. Alireza Beiranvand was truly inspired in the Iranian goal as Melli held on for a 0-0 stalemate. Indeed, Iran frontman Mehdi Taremi was unlucky not to grab a late winner against the run of play.
MEXICO vs ALBANIA
(15 June – Mexico City)
After drawing their opening match, Mexico wanted to make a quick start here… but they were denied it when Luis Romo’s clinical 17th-minute header was scrubbed by VAR. They would suffer more agony before the half-hour. Edson Álvarez’s slide tackle completely missed Albania forward Mytro Uzuni, who dribbled to the byline before leaving striker Ernest Muçi with the simplest tap-in.
Just like last time out at the Azteca, Mexico needed to come from behind. They did exactly that in the 69th minute, thanks to a huge stroke of luck. Albania keeper Thomas Strakosha flapped at a deflected Araujo cross, and the ball smacked young Luka Romero in the face before finding the net!
Sadly, luck wasn’t on Romero’s side in the 89th minute, as the post denied him what would have been a deserved winner. With Albania’s defence holding firm, the co-hosts toiled to another 1-1 draw – leaving their World Cup fate uncertain.
(Oh, and I forgot to mention that Mexico’s manager subbed on a player in the 64th minute… and then subbed him OFF three minutes later! Just Football Manager things.)
IRAN vs IVORY COAST
(15 June – Inglewood)
The Ivory Coast made the more positive start against a pragmatic Iranian side, with winger Simon Adingra finding the net early on before being flagged offside. After 18 minutes, though, Mehdi Taremi broke the deadlock for Iran – with their first (and indeed only) shot on target in the entire match.
The stunned Éléphants then forgot how to shoot. Moise Kean was blazing shots over the bar like he was still at Everton, though his young colleague Junior Kroupi was simply very unlucky. Indeed, the Ivorians’ only goal came from a centre-back – Ousmane Diomande eventually finding a way past the brilliant Beiranvand after just over an hour.
Iran dug deep in the closing stages to grind out a FOURTH draw in Group C – and the third to finish 1-1! With all four teams still level on two points apiece, it was anyone’s guess who would emerge alive. One thing that was certain was that the Ivorians would be without injured wing-back Josha Vagnoman for their crucial meeting with Albania.
ALBANIA vs IVORY COAST
(19 June – Inglewood)
Winners go through, losers (most likely) go home. That was the situation in Los Angeles, but Albania didn’t seem particularly bothered about pushing for the victory… at least not to begin with. Instead, it was the Ivorians who went on the offensive early on, with Karim Konaté hitting the post.
Albania finally showed some attacking intent right at the end of a miserable first half, but then retreated back into their comfort zones. Backed by an effective offside trap and an assured defence, Sylvinho’s side took every opportunity to frustrate Les Éléphants and keep the scoreline goalless…
…but ha ha! The joke’s on you, Sylvinho! Two minutes into second-half stoppage-time, Johan Bakayoko threaded the ball through the Albanian defence and find the pacey Elye Wahi, who snatched the latest of 1-0 wins and guaranteed the Ivory Coast’s place in Round 2!
MEXICO vs IRAN
(19 June – Mexico City)
It was a similar win-or-bust situation here at the Azteca. After 36 tense minutes, the home fans were delighted to see Orbelín Pineda make the breakthrough for Mexico, after Iran failed to clear Hirving Lozano’s byline cross.
Iran now had no choice but to push forward in the second half, but they simply could not provide Taremi with the service he craved. Luckily for them, El Tri were hardly in their attacking prime either. It took them 83 minutes before Pineda’s assist for Red Robbie (aka Roberto De la Rosa) rounded off a fairly comfortable 2-0 home win.
So where did that leave Group C? Well… Mexico just about won the group, with the Ivorians also going through automatically. Iran were definitely out, and Albania might as well book their flight home too.
GROUP D
NETHERLANDS
The Netherlands somehow survived a mass exodus (mostly to Suriname) to squeeze through their qualifying group. Now come the biggest tests yet, which will stretch this new-look Dutch team’s mental fortitude to its limits.
Ronald Koeman’s squad includes a mixture of raw youngsters fast-tracked to stardom, and ageing veterans who’ve been given one last crack at glory. The tall but quick Micky van de Ven has become a defensive mainstay, while Ruben van Bommel (yes, he is Mark’s son) has flourished as an inside-forward. Meanwhile, this will be the final hurrah for playmaker Steven Berghuis.
Though the Netherlands is renowned for producing ‘total football’, the conveyor belt of talent isn’t what it once was. With only three players in the squad who have scored more than five international goals, this World Cup has the potential to be a total mess if the Oranje don’t hit the ground running.
COLOMBIA
When Colombia are in town, expect plenty of action at both ends. Liverpool forward Luis Díaz is in arguably the best nick of his career, and his excellent off-the-ball awareness will be crucial to Los Cafeteros’ chances.
In terms of physicality, Colombian have one of the toughest defences in the tournament, even if they were prone to springing leaks during the qualifiers. The tough-tackling Cristhian Mosquera – who grew up in Valencia’s academy – sums up their all-or-nothing approach. Mosquera actually hasn’t joined Arsenal in this universe, but the gifted young playmaker Josen Escobar has.
Díaz aside, this Colombian team isn’t the best technically, and it’s fair to say they rely on hard graft more than skill. That might be fine in the early stages, but a deeper run will surely depend on whether they can tighten up at the back.
POLAND
Poland enter the World Cup with one of its most experienced teams. Robert Lewandowski is still omnipresent up top and closing in on 100 international goals, but he is now accompanied by the mercurial talents of Paulo Dybala, who usually plays as a creative number 10.
When it comes to the defence, Poland have gained a couple of handy American backups in goalkeeper Gabriel Słonina and centre-back Matt Miazga, even if they are unlikely to start. Right-back Matty Cash’s place in the XI is more secure, though Everton stopper James Tarkowski did not make the final 25…
…and no, that’s not a typo. Poland really did only select 25 players – the only side NOT to use their full 26-man quota. While the Biało-Czerwoni should still have enough quality to get out of the group, questions will be asked if their older charges run out of steam later on.
TUNISIA
Despite leading Tunisia to easy World Cup qualification, 78-year-old Óscar Tabárez was ruthlessly fired in January after a disappointing AFCON. His unknown replacement has only been in post for two months, giving the Eagles of Carthage little time to fully prepare for this tournament.
We shouldn’t, then, expect Rani Khedira to lift the World Cup like his big brother Sami did with Germany in 2014. Mind you, Khedira does form part of a sturdy defensive spine, along with centre-halves Karim Rekik and Montassar Talbi. The dynamic and tireless Hannibal can be a general nuisance further forward.
If Tunisia are to escape their group, they will need to keep the ball better. Of the 10 African teams at the World Cup, they had the worst possession stats in qualifying, thanks largely to their erratic passing and poor decision-making abilities.
POLAND vs TUNISIA
(12 June – East Rutherford)
Though Tunisia surprisingly enjoyed more possession in a goalless first half, it was Poland who actually created the better scoring opportunities. Skipper Robert Lewandowski and centre-half Paweł Dawidowicz were both frustrated by fine saves from the young Tunisian goalie Amen Allah Memiche.
Two minutes into the second half, however, it was Tunisia who made the breakthrough. Hannibal put Poland to the sword and picked out Hamdi Labidi, who raced through an ageing defence to slam the ball home.
Though a shaky Carthaginian defence gave them several chances in the final half-hour, the Polish eagles couldn’t take flight. Lewandowski had a nightmare up front, while Sebastian Szymański and namesake Damian were also unable to beat Memiche. Tunisia’s underdogs held on for a famous 1-0 win.
NETHERLANDS vs COLOMBIA
(12 June – Dallas)
There was drama after just five minutes. Colombia forward Luis Suárez was unfairly blocked off by Joel Veltman as he tried to reach a square ball from Luis Díaz across the Dutch area. Los Cafeteros were awarded a penalty, which Jhon Arias confidently converted.
Having been denied a near-certain goal earlier, Suárez deservedly got on the scoresheet in the 30th minute, squeezing the ball home after some fine work from yet another Colombian Luis – winger Sinisterra. Now 2-0 down, it could have got even worse for the beleaguered Netherlands when Suárez hit the post early in the second half.
There would be no more goals in the end. Colombia were always in total control against a frankly (or, should I say, Frenkie) mediocre Dutch outfit. It had all gone wrong for de Jong and co.
COLOMBIA vs POLAND
(16 June – East Rutherford)
After a mundane opening half-hour, things started to liven up late in the first period. First, Colombia frontman Suárez jumped the gun and was flagged offside after firing home from Cristian Mosquera’s free-kick. Just a couple of minutes later, Mosquera’s centre-back partner Davinson Sánchez nearly put the ball into his own net, only to be spared by Kevin Mier’s last-ditch save.
Both sides then hit the post before Colombia finally broke through on 41 minutes. This time, Suárez just about kept himself onside to fire Matheus Uribe’s through-ball into the net. Fortunately, this Luis Suárez’s goal celebration did not involve the biting of anybody’s shoulders.
And that was the decisive moment. Though Poland produced exactly the same xG as Colombia, they did so from more and lower-quality shots. Another 1-0 defeat left the Poles on the brink of being axed, while Los Cafeteros toasted a safe passage to the knockouts.
TUNISIA vs NETHERLANDS
(16 June – Dallas)
Holy kit clash, Batman!
Mind you, Ruben van Bommel seemed to have no problems finding another orange shirt in the third minute. The young and agile PSV striker Jason van Duiven scored to get the Netherlands’ campaign up and running!
The Dutch totally dominated a shaky Tunisian team, and it was only a matter of when they doubled their lead. A couple of emerging wingers did the honours after 75 minutes, as Miliano Jonathans nodded in Myron van Brederode’s cross to complete a 2-0 win. It wasn’t quite ‘Total Football’, but at least that was more like it.
POLAND vs NETHERLANDS
(20 June – East Rutherford)
Poland had to win their final group game to stand any chance of qualifying – and they certainly gave it a good go. Though Paulo Dybala screwed wide a golden chance midway through the first half, Lewandowski fared much better a few minutes later. The 37-year-old’s header from Przemysław Frankowski’s left-wing cross finally got the Biało-Czerwoni off the mark!
Mind you, Jakub Piotrowski’s careless tackling was proving a problem. The AZ midfielder was already on a yellow card when he conceded a free-kick just outside the Polish box late in the first half. Then, at the start of the second half, he made another clumsy foul on van Bommel INSIDE the area! Piotrowski again escaped a second yellow, but Teun Koopmeiners converted the penalty to put the Netherlands back level.
Poland’s manager eventually subbed Piotrowski before he could get himself sent off, but the damage was done. Their tournament would end in a third straight defeat, as another Koopmeiners goal just before full-time sent the Netherlands through with a 2-1 win.
TUNISIA vs COLOMBIA
(20 June – Dallas)
Meanwhile in Texas, table-topping Colombia wasted little time taking the lead. Luis Sinisterra’s first shot on goal might have been blocked by Wajdi Kechrida, but the Bournemouth winger made no mistake from the rebound. Should be a simple 1-0 win from here, right?
Tunisia weren’t going down that easily. Mortadha Ben Ouannes equalised from a tight angle in the 24th minute, and he then came inches away from scoring another goal two minutes later. Colombia’s watertight defence had finally been breached, and they were in total disarray when Ben Ouannes’ strike partner Elias Achouri put the Eagles 2-1 ahead eight minutes from half-time.
That lead only lasted six minutes into the second half. FM24’s set-piece ‘defending’ was on full display when Tunisia left Colombia midfielder Mateus Uribe wide open to receive a free-kick, which he duly stroked home. The Eagles then suffered a major blow when defender Karim Rekik was stretchered off with a serious knee injury.
Both teams had their fair shares of chances to win the match, before Middlesbrough’s creative attacking midfielder Ismaël Gharbi eventually did so three minutes from time – giving the Tunisians a crucial 3-2 victory!
Or so they thought! As the match ticked into stoppage time, Suárez wiggled through to pinch another Colombian equaliser…
…but they weren’t done yet! In the 97th minute, Mosquera pumped a ‘Hail Mary’ into the Tunisian box, where defender Alaa Ghram stuck an arm out and gave away a penalty! Uribe sent Memiche the wrong way – and from the brink of defeat, Colombia had WON 4-3!!
Tunisian hearts were hurting… but not broken. Three points and a -2 goal difference meant they were still likely to join Colombia and the Netherlands in the next phase, as one of the better 3rd-placed teams.
That’s all for now. Please come back on Friday, when Brazil and Jamaica face off in a mouth-watering Group E, before Luka Modrić begins his Croatia swansong in Group F!
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