The FIFA World Cup 2026 produced a remarkable piece of football history as all four matches played on Monday ended in draws, marking the first time in 68 years that four World Cup games on the same day finished level.
The rare statistical milestone has become one of the biggest talking points of the tournament so far. The last time such an event occurred was on June 15, 1958, making this a truly historic day in World Cup history. Experts and fans alike are viewing it as a sign of how competitive international football has become, with traditional powerhouses finding it increasingly difficult to dominate lesser-fancied opponents.
The day's action began with one of the tournament's biggest surprises as debutants Cape Verde held European champions Spain to a goalless draw. Cape Verde's disciplined defensive display frustrated Spain throughout the match and earned the newcomers a memorable point on the biggest stage.
In the second match, Egypt came agonisingly close to securing a famous victory over Belgium. Emam Ashour's early goal gave Egypt the lead, but Belgium fought back after Romelu Lukaku's introduction, eventually forcing an equaliser in a 1-1 draw.
Group H then became even more intriguing when Saudi Arabia and Uruguay shared the points in a 1-1 draw. Maximiliano Araujo scored a late equaliser for Uruguay, ensuring that neither side could claim a winning start to their campaign. As a result, all four teams in Group H finished the opening round on one point each, leaving the group wide open.
The final match of the day delivered plenty of entertainment as Iran and New Zealand played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in Los Angeles. New Zealand twice took the lead through Elijah Just, who became the first player from his country to score two goals in a World Cup match. However, Iran responded on both occasions and secured a valuable point in an exciting contest.
The unprecedented run of draws highlights the growing balance in world football. With the expanded 48-team format already producing surprises and closely contested matches, the 2026 World Cup is proving that there are no easy games at the global showpiece. As the group stage continues, teams will know that every point could prove decisive in the race for the knockout rounds.
