Overview
- Group-stage matches have produced unusual parity, with four consecutive draws on Monday marking the first World Cup matchday with four draws since 1958.
- Iran and New Zealand played a 2-2 thriller at SoFi Stadium that featured Elijah Just scoring twice and left both teams level in Group G.
- Debutants Cape Verde stunned Spain to a 0-0 draw, underscoring that even top-ranked sides face tough challenges in the new 48-team format.
- Off-field issues are affecting team plans, with Iran relocating parts of its preparations to Tijuana because of U.S. visa denials and organizers facing active probes into ticketing and resale practices.
- Match governance and player-management questions have surfaced, including reports of a possible Saudi rule breach during its draw with Uruguay and a visible dispute over Mohamed Salah's substitution for Egypt.