World Cup Day Twelve

Group G EGYPT have picked up their biggest win to date as they win 3-1 to New Zealand. Egypt who drew 1-1 with Belgium, are now on a total of 4 goals. Egypt are now top with 4 points, followed by Iran on 2 points. In third place is Belgium, also with 2 points, while New Zealand are fourth with just 1 point. 

Group I FRANCE went a goal up in the first half with a fantastic goal from Mbappe on his 100th France appearance, against Iraq. But the game was deplayed for 2 hours due to a thunderstorm. In the second half two more goals for France, gave them a 3-0 win. France are through to the second round and are on a total of 6 goals. 

Group J ARGENTINA have won their second game of the tournament as they beat Austria 2-0. The goals coming from Lionel Messi who is now the all-time leading scorer with 18 goals in 28 World Cup games, The first goal came in the 38^th minute with his second in 90+5. Messi has scored all 5 Argentina’s goals. And they are now in the second round.

World Cup Day Eleven

Group E Ecuador have now lost both their first two games as they drew 0-0 against Curaçao. Germany are still top of this group with 6 points. In second place we have Ivory Coast with 3 points. Ecuador are in third place and Curaçao, are in fourth place both with 1 point each. 

Group F JAPAN get their first three points as they win 4-0 to Tunisia. Japan are on a total of 6 goals. Netherlands are top with 4 points, Japan are second also with 4 points. Sweden are third with 3 points and Tunisia with no points and are out of the World Cup. 

Group H After they had drawn against Cape Verde 0-0 in their first game, SPAIN have picked up their first lot of goals, and points as they win 4-0 against Saudi Arabia. Spain are on 4 goals. URUGUAY drew in their first game 1-1, and in their second game they drew again 2-2 against CAPE VERDE. Uruguay are on a total of 3 goals, while Cape Verde have picked up their first goals of the tournament. Cape Verde drew 0-0 in their opening game against Spain. Spain are top of the group with 4 points while Uruguay are in second place with 2 points. Cape Verde are third also with 2 points. Saudi Arabia are fourth with 1 point. 

Group G BELGIUM drew their opening game 1-1 with Egypt, and they drew again 0-0 against Iran. Belgium. Belgium still with just 1 goal. Iran are top with 2 points with Belgium second also with 2 points.

World Cup Day Ten

Group C BRAZIL have won their second game 3-0 against Haiti and are on a total of 4 goals. Brazil are top with 4 points, with Morocco in second place, also with 4 points. Scotland are in third place with 3 points, while Haiti are fourth, still waiting for their first point. 

Group D TURKEY lost their second game 1-0 to PARAGUAY. Turkey have failed to score in their two opening games, while Paraguay get their first win and are on a total of 2 goals. USA are top of the group with 6 points. Australia are second with 3 points. Paraguay are in third place, also with 3 points. Turkey are in fourth place with no points. 

Group F NETHERLANDS have won their second game 5-1 against SWEDEN after they drew their first game 2-2. Netherlands have taken their goals tally up to 7 goals. Sweden, who had won their first game 5-1, are now on a total of 6 goals. Netherlands are top of the group with 4 points, with Sweden second on 3 points. 

Group E GERMANY won their first game with seven goals. They also won their second game 2-1 against the Ivory Coast after going a goal down in the first half, winning the game with a very late goal in injury time. Both goals came from D. Undav. Germany are on a total of 9 goals and are top of the group with 6 points. They are through to the second round. Ivory Coast are in second place with 3 points.                         

 Top goal scorer for the Golden Boot at the moment is between Argentina’s Messi, Canada’s Jonathan David, and Germany’s Deniz Undav, with 3 goals each.  

The fastest goal has been scored by Ismael Saibari of Morocco after just 70 seconds in Group C after they won 1-0 against Scotland in their second game in the first round.           

World Cup Day Nine

Group A MEXICO, who had won their opening game, also won their second game 1-0 against SOUTH KOREA and are on a total of 3 goals. Mexico became the first team to go into the second round. South Korea lost their first game of the tournament and remain on 2 goals. Mexico are top with 6 points, with South Korea jn second place with 3 points. Czech Republic remains in third place, with South Africa in fourth place. Both are on 1 point. 

Group C SCOTLAND had won their first game but lost their second game 1-0 to MOROCCO. Scotland are on a total of 1 goal while Morocco are on 2 goals. Morocco are top with 4 points, with Scotland in second place with 3 points. 

Group D USA have won their first two games after they won 2-0 against Australia. USA are on a total of 6 goals and are through to the next round. USA are still top with 6 points, while Australia are on 3 points.

World Cup Day Eight

Here are the rest of Day Eight results, which now start’s our team’s second game in the first group stage 

Group A The CZECH REPUBLIC lost their first game to South Korea, but drew their second game against South Africa 1-1. Czech Republic are on a total of 2 goals. Both teams receiving their first points of the tournament, Czech remain in third place with South Africa in fourth place.  

Group B SWITZERLAND were top of the group after they drew their first game 1-1 with Qatar, In their second game against Bosnia-Herzegovina, they won their first game with their biggest score, so far, 4-1. Switzerland are on a total of 5 goals. Co-hosts CANADA in second place, drew their first game against Bosnia-Herzegovina, In their second game of the tournament they played against 9 men Qatar and won 6-0. Canada are now on a total of 7 goals. Canada are top of the group with 4 points with Switzerland in second place, also on 4 points. Bosnia-Herzegovina are third with 1 point with Qatar in fourth place also with 1 point.                          

Top goal scorer for the Golden Boot at the moment, is between Argentina’s Messi and Canada's J. David with 3 goals each.             

Sheet One

Welcome to our 10th consecutive WORLD CUP 2026 Golden Goals competition. Once again the World Cup fever has got to grips with some of us this year, and although the number are slightly up on Qatar 2022, it's our third best World Cup in numbers. 

So on with the 23rd World Cup Tournament. Out of the 48 nations taking part in this year’s historic tournament, we have picked up 28 of them. That is the most number of nations we have had, beating the Qatar 2022 record total of 22. We have 50 players this time round but here are our top fifteen.

                            GAME        GOALS

                               ONE          NAME                                    TOTAL 

                                  1              H. ADKINS                                16

                                  2              L. HARRINGTON                     16

                                  3              D. BARRETT                             15

                                  4              J. WOOD                                    15

                                  5             A. NEWMAN                             14

                                  6             B. SOPER                                   14

                                  7             S. THOMSON                            14

                                  8             MANGO                                     13

                                  9             STALKY (2)                               13

                                10             B. BURROUGHS                      12

                                11             T. KING (1)                                12

                               12             STALKY (1)                                12

                               13             D. WOOD                                   12

                               14             B. BARNES (1)                          11

                               15             M. CASSE                                  11

As you can see, that we have joint leaders who are Hayley Adkins and Louie Harrington both have picked up the highest total of 16 goals each, after the first round opening games. Hayley as England 4, Germany 7, Scotland 1 and the USA 4. Louie has England 4, Germany 7, Spain 0 and with Sweden 5.

So who are the best teams that we have in the 2026 World Cup after the first set of games being played. Well I can tell you that they are.

GERMANY (7) SWEDEN (5) ENGLAND (4) NORWAY (4) total of 20 goals.

We have three of our teams that have failed to scored in the first round games. They are CAPE VERDE, SPAIN and TURKEY. 

We have collected a fantastic total of 53 goals in the first round games. That has beaten our 37 goals total from the 2014 Brazil World Cup. In the last Golden Goals World Cup, Qatar, we reached a total of 34 goals from the first round.

GERMANY holds the current record for the highest score with that 7-1 win over Curaçao, in Group E in their opening game.

World Cup Day Seven

Group J ARGENTINA won their first game 3-0 against Algeria. Argentina have been in all of our 10 World Cup’s and Qatar 2022 was their best with total amount of goals with 15. They also won the World Cup for their 3rd time. They have a total of 24 votes this time round. Austria won 3-1 against Jordan. Argentina go top, with Austria in second place. Jordan are third. 

Group K PORTUGAL drew 1-1 against Dr Congo in their opening match. Portugal are in their 7th World Cup with us, and it was Qatar 2022 that they picked up their highest amount of goals with 12. They lost in the quarter-finals. They have a total of 9 votes. In the other game, Columbia won 3-1 against Uzbekistan to go top of the group, so, Columbia are top, with Dr Congo in second place with Portugal third. 

Group L ENGLAND  have won their opening game with a fantastic 4-2 win over CROATIA. After a very exciting match in the first half, with goals being scored in the 12th minute by Kane, Croatia came back with a goal in the 36th minute by Baturina. Kane scored a penalty in the 42nd minute, and soon after it was 2-2 as Croatia came back with a goal from Musa. 2 -2 at half-time. In the second half it was all about England with goals by Bellingham in the 47th minute and Rushford in the 85th minute. A great win for England. England are in their 9th World Cup with Golden Goals. Their best total of goals came in Qatar with 13. They went out in the quarter-finals. They have a total of 18 votes. Croatia are in their 5th World Cup with us. They picked up their biggest amount of goals in France 1998 with a total of 11. They won the 3rd/4th play off against Holland. They have just 1 vote. In the other match, GHANA won 1-0 against Panama. Ghana are in their second World Cup with us as they first appeared in South Africa 2010 and finished with a total of 5 goals. They lost in the quarter-finals. They have just 1 vote. England are top of the group with Ghana in second place.. Panama are in third place. 

The second round of games start today, so things are going to be very interesting over the next week

World Cup Day Six

Group I FRANCE scored three goals in the second half to give them three points as they win 3-1 against SENEGAL. Two times winners, France, picked up their highest total of goals in Qatar 2022 with 16 goals. They lost on penalties to Argentina in the final. This is their 8^th World Cup with us. They have a total of 22 votes. Senegal are in their 3^rd World Cup with us, and their highest amount of goals is 5 in Qatar 2022. Senegal went out in the second round. They have 3 votes. Norway won their opening game 4-1 against Iraq. Norway are in their 3^rd World Cup with Golden Goals. Their highest amount of goals came from the last time that we had them in France 1998 with 5 goals. They have 3 votes. Norway are top of this group followed by France and Senegal in third place.

World Cup Day Five

Group E The Ivory Coast have won their first game 1-0 against Ecuador. Germany are top with the Ivory Coast in second place. Ecuador are in third place. 

Group F SWEDEN have started their World Cup tournament well by winning 5-1 against Tunisia. Sweden are in their 4th World Cup with us. Their biggest amount of goals came in 1994 USA, where they finished with 15 goals when they won the 3rd/4th play-off. In their last World Cup in 2006, Germany, with Golden Goals, finished with 3 goals and went out in the second round. Sweden are top with Japan in second place. Netherlands are in third place. 

Group G BELGIUM drew their first game 1-1 against EGYPT. Belgium are in our 7th World Cup and their highest amount of goals came in 2018 Russia, with 16 goals, where they won the 3rd/4th play-off. They have a total of 8 votes. Egypt are in their second World Cup with us. They appeared in 2018 Russia and picked up 2 goals. They went out in the group stages. They have just 2 votes this time round. 

Group H Probably the first shock of the World Cup is that SPAIN drew 0-0 against CAPE VERDE, who are in their very first World Cup and with Golden Goals. Spain are in their 10th World Cup with us and their highest score is 10 goals, which they first collected in 1994 USA, and then again in the 2002 Korea/Japan and both times reaching the quarter-finals. Spain have picked up the highest votes this World Cup with 30. Cape Verde have 1 vote. What a game that was for them. URUGUAY drew 1-1 against Saudi Arabia after going a goal down in the first half. Uruguay are in their 5^th World Cup with us. Their highest amount of goals came in the 2018 Russia with 7 goals. They went out in the quarter-finals. In Qatar they finished with just 2 goals and went out in the group stage. They have 4 votes this time round. Uruguay are top with Saudi Arabia in second place. Spain are in third place.                  

World Cup Day Four

Group C in the other game in this group, SCOTLAND have won their first World Cup game since 1990 with a goal from John McGinn in the 28th minute, to beat Haiti 1-0. This is Scotland’s second World Cup with us, as they first appeared back in the 1990 Italia. They went out in the group stages with just 2 goals. Scotland have just 1 vote. Scotland go top of the group, with Morocco in second place. Brazil are in third place. 

Group D TURKEY are our first nation to pick up a blank scoresheet after they lost 2-0 to Australia. Turkey are in their second World Cup with us as they first appeared in the 2002 Korea/Japan. They scored a total of 10 goals and won the 3rd/4th play-off. They have just 1 vote in this World Cup. USA are top in this group after their big win with, Australia in second place. Turkey are in third place. 

Group E GERMANY go straight to the top of the group after they won 7-1 against Curaçao, Germany have been in all of our 10 World Cups (including West Germany) and their highest amount of goals came in the 2014 Brazil, with a record-breaking 18 goals, and became World cup winners for the 4th time. They have a total of 20 votes. In Qatar, they scored just 6 goals and went out in the group stages. 

Group F NETHERLANDS started their tournament with a 2-2 draw against JAPAN. This is the Dutch 8th World Cup with us. Their highest amount of goals came in 2014 Brazil with 15 goals. They won the 3rd/4th play-off. In Qatar, they scored 10 goals and managed to get to the quarter-finals. Netherlands have a total of 7 votes. Japan are in their second World Cup with us. They were in the 2006 Germany tournament and finished with 2 goals in the group stages. Japan have a total of 2 votes.  

World Cup Day Three

Group B SWITZERLAND drew 1-1 against Qatar after they scored from a penalty in the 17^th minute. Qatar equalised in the 90+4 with their first every point in a World Cup. Switzerland are top with Canada in second place. This is the second time that we have picked Switzerland first time being in Qatar 2022 where they knock-out in the second round. They scored a total of 5 goals. Switzerland are top of this group with Canada in second place. Qatar are in third place.

Group C BRAZIL drew 1-1 against MOROCCO with both goals being scored in the fist half. Brazil have been with us for the full 10 World Cups and their highest number of goals came in the 2002 Korea/Japan with a record 18 goals, when they won the World Cup for the 5^th time. In Qatar they reached the quarter-finals, and finished with a total of 8 goals. Brazil have a total of 23 votes. Morocco are in their first World Cup with Golden Goals, and they have 2 votes. 

Group D the last of the host nations played and they are the USA. They have picked up the highest score of the tournament so far, by winning 4-1 against PARAGUAY. The USA are in their 6^th Golden Goals World Cup and their highest amount of goals came in the Korea/Japan 2002 with 7 goals. They finished in the quarter-finals. They have just 2 votes. Paraguay are in their 2^nd World Cup with us and their highest score came from France 1998 with a total of just 3 goals. They made it to the second round. They have 1 vote.

                                      

World Cup Day Two

In Group A, SOUTH KOREA have won their first game, 2-1, against CZECH REPUBLIC. All of the goals came in the second half. Mexico are top on goal difference, with South Korea in second place. This is the second time that we have had South Korea, the first being in the 2010 South Africa World Cup. They finished with a total of 6 goals and went out at the group stage. They have 2 votes. Czech Republic are in their third tournament with Golden Goals including the old Czechoslovakia, they started with us in the 1990 Italy World Cup, and finished with their highest score of 10 goals. They went out in the quarter-finals. Last time out was in the 2006 Germany tournament, and they finished with just 3 goals. They went out in the group stages. They have 2 votes. 

In Group B, host CANADA drew 1-1 against Bosnia-Herzegovina, after going a goal down in the first half. It’s the first tournament for Canada with us, and they have become our 50^th nation to do so. They have 3 votes. 

Our teams are all doing well at the moment by scoring some goals. We have so far had a total of 6 goals after day two.

Opening Game

 

The 2026 World Cup has started after one of the host nations, MEXICO from Group A, began their World Cup campaign at the Estadio Aztec stadium in Mexico City against South Africa.

At the start of the first half it was all Mexico and nearly had a goal in the first couple of minutes. But it did not take them long to go in front with a goal in the 9th minute from Julian Quinones, from a South African defensive error. The first yellow card of the tournament goes to South Africa’s Teboho Mokoena just after 17 minutes of play. Mexico could of gone three up but for good goalkeeping and woodwork denied Mexico to up their goal tally. South Africa did have a couple of moments, but no match for the Mexicans.

Early in the second half, Mexico received a free-kick right on the edge of the penalty area, but failed to do anything of it. The first red card of the World Cup goes to South Africa’s Yaya Sithole in the 49^th minutes. But Mexico scored their second goal in the 67th minute from Raul Jimenez. Ten Men South Africa in real trouble from that point onwards. Another red card for South Africa (Themba Zwane) in the 84th minute via VAR, and they went down to 9 men. Mexico then picked up their first red card in the 90+2 minutes for Cesar Montes. After a scrappy second half, Mexico win their first game 2-0 and top of the group.

Mexico have picked up a total of 5 votes this time round which equals their highest amount of votes in Germany 2006. This is there 8^th appearance out of 10 with Golden Goals and their average goals total is 3.6 goals per tournament at present. The best that Mexico have done in the World Cup is the Quarter-Finals in Mexico in 1970 and again in Mexico in 1986. In the last World cup in Qatar 2022, they finished in the group stages.

The Last Update Before Kick-Off

The 2026 World Cup will be kicking off very soon, where one of the host nations, Mexico, from Group A, start their World Cup campaign at the Estadio Aztec stadium in Mexico City against South Africa. Kick off at 8pm (GMT) Thursday, June 11. 

We here at Golden Goals have closed the book, and we have a total of 50 people taking part in our tenth World Cup tournament. Out of the 48 nations taking part, we will have 28 nations, which have been voted for. Below is the group draw with all the 48 nations taking part, and the ones to look out for are the ones in BOLD CAPITAL LETTERS.  

These are the nations that we have this time round. 

Group A -  CZECH REPUBLIC, MEXICO, South Africa, SOUTH KOREA

Group B -  Bosnia-Herzegovina, CANADA, Qatar, SWITZERLAND

Group C -  BRAZIL,  Haiti, MOROCCO, SCOTLAND

Group D -  Australia, PARAGUAY, TURKEY, USA

Group E -  Curaçao, Ecuador, GERMANY, Ivory Coast,  

Group F -  JAPAN, NETHERLANDS, SWEDEN, Tunisia

Group G -  BELGIUM, EGYPT, Iran, New Zealand

Group H -  CAPE VERDE, Saudi Arabia, SPAIN, URUGUAY

Group I -   FRANCE, Iraq, NORWAY, SENEGAL

Group J -  ARGENTINA, Algeria, Austria, Jordan 

Group K - Colombia, DR Congo, PORTUGAL, Uzbekistan,  

Group L -  ENGLAND,  CROATIA,  GHANA, Panama  

The voting went down to just six nations really, and here they are. In first place, with a total of 30 votes we have Spain. In second place, with 24 votes, we have Argentina. In third place, we have Brazil with 23 votes. In fourth place, with 22 votes we have France. In fifth place, with 20 votes we have Germany. In sixth place we have England with a total of 18 votes. 

We still have the four nations that have been in all of our ten Golden Goals World Cup competitions. They are Argentina, Brazil, Germany and Spain. 

Cape Verde will all make their first appearance in the World Cup and with Golden Goals. We also have Canada, and Morocco making their first appraence with Golden Goals.

We will keep you right up to date with what’s going on with our nations, right here on this blog.