World Cup 2026: Group L will tour five cities in eleven days

A dream debut

Erling Haaland had an unforgettable debut in a World Cup. The forward scored two goals in Norway’s 4-1 win over Iraq, in a match corresponding to Group I of the 2026 World Cup.

The match was played at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Norway opened the scoring in the 29th minute, when Haaland pushed in a low cross from David Moller Wolfe. Before the break, Iraq temporarily tied the score thanks to a header from Aymen Hussein (39′), but Haaland put his team ahead again in the 43rd minute, taking advantage of an error in the rival’s start.

Control and judgment

Iraq pressed for an equalizer during the second half. However, Norway regained control and sealed the victory with a header from Leo Ostigard (77′) after a cross from Martin Odegaard. In injury time, an own goal by Hussein made it 4-1.

At 25 years old, Haaland scored 57 goals in 51 games for Norway. Furthermore, the entry of Kristian Thorstvedt made Norway field three sons of footballers who played in the 94 World Cup in USA: Alf-Inge Haaland, Goran Sorloth and Erik Thorstvedt.

Next Monday the 22nd, Norway will face Senegal in New York, while Iraq will seek to recover against France in Philadelphia.

The FIFA World Cup is not only the scene of sporting feats. It also serves as a space where politics and citizen discontent emerge among fans. A viral video shows the former soccer player and former governor of Morelos, Cuauhtémoc Blanco, being scolded by a fan when leaving the Mexico City Stadium.

The claim in the stadium

The images, spread on social networks, were recorded after the conclusion of one of the tournament matches. In them, Blanco is seen walking surrounded by assistants when a fan approaches and shouts at him: “They’re looking for you in Cuernavaca, wow!” The phrase alludes to the political pending issues that he left during his administration as governor of Morelos.

The former official did not stop or respond. He continued on his way to leave the perimeter of the stadium while other witnesses recorded the scene with their phones. The moment reflects how fans combine football enthusiasm with the demand for accountability from public figures.

The video quickly became a trend on digital platforms, generating divided reactions between those who support the accusation and those who consider that it is neither the place nor the time. However, the fact confirms that media attention on Cuauhtémoc Blanco is not limited to his sporting past, but includes his political management in Morelos.

Mbappé climbs into World Cup history

Kylian Mbappé scored his 13th goal in World Cups. With that figure he surpassed Pelé and tied for fourth place in the tournament’s all-time table. The French forward achieved it during his team’s debut in the World Cup against Senegal.

Mbappé opened the scoring in the 66th minute. He had previously missed several chances, including a good save by goalkeeper Édouard Mendy. With this goal he reached 57 goals for France and equaled Olivier Giroud as the national team’s all-time leading scorer.

In his third World Cup and at 27 years old, Mbappé equaled Lionel Messi and Just Fontaine. He was one goal behind Gerd Müller and two behind Ronaldo. The absolute leader remains Miroslav Klose with 16 goals.

Mbappé’s path to the World Cup began in 2018, when he helped France win the title in Russia. Four years later he reached the final in Qatar 2022, where he scored three goals in the match that his team lost against Argentina. With Real Madrid this season, he was the top scorer in the Champions League with 15 goals and in LaLiga with 25.