The 48-Team Era Begins
Latin America at Matchday 1 (World Cup 2026)

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The first-ever 48-team World Cup has kicked off across the United States, Canada and Mexico. From Latin America, six South American sides take part alongside host Mexico and new faces from the Caribbean and Central America. What emerged after Matchday 1 was a contrast: the traditional powers struggling, and small nations taking a historic first step. This article is a snapshot as of June 19, 2026 (end of Matchday 1); the tournament is ongoing and the picture changes by the day.

What Happened

Of the six South American (CONMEBOL) sides, only two won on Matchday 1: Argentina and Colombia. Argentina beat Algeria 3-0, with Lionel Messi scoring a hat-trick. Colombia defeated Uzbekistan 3-1, with goals from Daniel Munoz, Luis Diaz and Jaminton Campaz.

Meanwhile, title contenders Brazil drew 1-1 with Morocco, and Uruguay also opened with a 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia. Ecuador lost 0-1 to Ivory Coast, and Paraguay fell 1-4 to host United States (June 12, with a brace from Folarin Balogun, among others).

The contrast was host Mexico. After beating South Africa 2-0 on Matchday 1, Mexico won again on Matchday 2, defeating South Korea 1-0 (Luis Romo scored the winner in the 50th minute), sealing a place in the Round of 32 with six points and to spare.

More Slots, New Faces

This is the first World Cup to expand from 32 to 48 teams. The group stage is played in 12 groups of four; the top two from each group, plus the eight best third-placed teams, advance to the newly created Round of 32.

The expansion redrew Latin America's map too. From CONCACAF (North and Central America and the Caribbean), Panama, Curacao and Haiti claimed the final direct berths. Curacao are making their debut, Haiti are returning after about 52 years, and Panama are appearing for the second time.

The Weight of the Giants, the Lightness of the Small

In a word, the South American sides on Matchday 1 could not close it out. Brazil and Uruguay opened with draws; Ecuador and Paraguay lost. Favorites stumbling in their opener is nothing new, but with the 48-team format allowing third-placed teams to advance, the cost of dropped points has become harder to read. Conversely, the value of a single point has risen.

Within that, Mexico's two wins look like an opening that made the most of home advantage: less travel, the crowds, familiar altitude and climate. The other protagonists are the small Caribbean nations stepping onto the world stage for the first time. Curacao, with a population in the low hundreds of thousands, standing on the same pitch as Brazil and Argentina: that fact alone symbolizes Latin America at this World Cup.

The Author's View

I research assistive-device subsidy systems and social security, and I have been involved with Latin America for years, starting with Costa Rica. From that vantage point, the World Cup is not merely a sporting event. In Latin America, football is a regional identity, and at times one of the few channels through which people can show the world that we, too, are here.

That is precisely why the participation of small or struggling nations like Curacao and Haiti carries meaning beyond results. Haiti returned amid ongoing security and political crises. The moment a national team appears before the world becomes a symbol of pride and unity for people back home. At the same time, I don't want to forget what lies behind the spectacle. The roar of the stadium and the everyday barriers of inequality and access are continuous with each other. How far does football's story of inclusion reach beyond the pitch? Having spent my career in disability welfare, that is the lens through which I want to watch this tournament.

Matchday 1 is a stage where, for the traditional powers, nothing is decided yet, and for the newcomers, history has already been made. From here, I will be following whether the South American sides can recover, and how far the Caribbean teams can go.

Glossary

CONMEBOL is the South American Football Confederation; six of its nations are in this tournament. CONCACAF is the confederation for North and Central America and the Caribbean. Ronda de 32 / Round of 32 refers to the newly created opening knockout round under the 48-team format.

Curacao, with a population in the low hundreds of thousands, on the same pitch as Brazil and Argentina: Matchday 1 was that contrast itself.

※ This article is the author’s commentary based on public information. Please confirm the latest figures, dates and procedures with governments and primary sources. Quotations are kept minimal and sources are cited.