What the Group Stage Taught Us | World Cup 2026

The group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is complete, and before diving headfirst into the knockout rounds, Marko, Mark, and Matteo take a step back to ask a bigger question: what has this tournament taught us so far? The trio discusses how the expanded 48-team format has created more competitive matches, why the gap between football's traditional powerhouses and smaller nations appears smaller than ever, and whether this has been one of the most entertaining World Cups in recent memory. From surprise packages and tactical trends to the importance of elite goalscorers, they break down the themes that have emerged across the opening phase of the tournament. The conversation also turns to one of football's biggest talking points: Cristiano Ronaldo's role with Portugal. Is his experience and leadership still a major asset, or does the team play with more freedom without relying so heavily on him? The hosts also share their sentimental favourites heading into the knockout rounds, highlight the teams that have won over neutral fans, and make a few bold predictions about who could make a deep run. With the first elimination match now behind us, it's the perfect time to separate early overreactions from the trends that could define the rest of the World Cup. To contact us reach out to [email protected] us on X at @SemiFooty