Record draws and Europe's slow start - is the World Cup lacking jeopardy? (opens original article in a new tab)

The 2026 World Cup has seen a record number of draws, with European teams struggling and South American teams also underperforming, raising questions about the tournament's competitiveness.

• Eight of the 16 matches in the 2026 World Cup have ended in draws, a record for this stage of the tournament.
• European teams have struggled, with seven of ten European sides failing to win their opening matches, while South American teams have also had poor results.
• The expanded 48-team format may have reduced the pressure of early matches, as teams can qualify with three draws.