The third day of the 2026 World Cup brought a weekend of remarkable outcomes, with Australia seizing the spotlight by defeating Turkey 2-0 in Vancouver. Meanwhile, Brazil ended in a 1-1 draw against Morocco, and Qatar earned its first-ever World Cup point.
The Socceroos asserted their dominance in Group D, thanks to goals from Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe at BC Place in Vancouver. Irankunda, at just 20 years and 124 days old, became the youngest Australian player to score in a World Cup, setting a new record for the entire Asian Football Confederation.
For Turkey, the loss extended a troubling trend: they have faced defeat in every World Cup debut, including against West Germany in 1954, Brazil in 2002, and now Australia in 2026. This defeat also marked Turkey's first loss to an Asian opponent in the tournament.
In Group C, Brazil's opening match resulted in a 1-1 draw with Morocco at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The Moroccans, who were a surprise sensation in the Qatar 2022 World Cup by reaching the semifinals, stunned Carlo Ancelotti’s squad with a strong team performance, taking the lead through Ismael Saibari.
Vinícius Júnior responded for Brazil, scoring one of the tournament’s standout goals with a spectacular solo effort inside the box. In stoppage time, Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson Becker preserved the draw with a crucial double save. The match was also attended by NFL icon Tom Brady and rapper Travis Scott, adding to the event’s star-studded atmosphere.
In Group B, Qatar made history by drawing 1-1 with Switzerland at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, securing their first World Cup point ever. Breel Embolo scored from the penalty spot, marking Switzerland’s first-ever World Cup penalty goal, but Boualem Khoukhi equalized with a header in the 90+4 minute to earn a draw.
This achievement is especially significant considering Qatar’s performance as the host nation in 2022, where they were eliminated in the first round without earning a single point, suffering three losses and scoring only one goal.
The day also saw Scotland triumph 1-0 over Haiti, with a goal from John McGinn marking the Scots' return to the World Cup after a 28-year hiatus and their first tournament victory in 36 years. Despite the loss, Haiti celebrated the World Cup debut of goalkeeper Johny Placide, who, at 38 years and 135 days old, became the third oldest debutant from a Concacaf nation in the history of the tournament.
With these results, Scotland tops Group C with three points, while Brazil and Morocco each have one point. In Group D, Australia shares the lead with the United States, who defeated Paraguay 4-1 in their opening match.
Key Outcomes and Records in the 2026 World Cup
What was significant about Australia's victory over Turkey?
Australia's 2-0 win over Turkey was notable as it marked a historic performance for the Socceroos, with Nestory Irankunda becoming the youngest Australian to score in a World Cup, setting an Asian Football Confederation record.
How did Brazil perform in their opening World Cup match?
Brazil drew 1-1 with Morocco, with Vinícius Júnior scoring a remarkable goal to equalize. Alisson Becker played a crucial role in preventing a loss with his key saves.
What milestone did Qatar achieve in their match against Switzerland?
Qatar secured their first-ever World Cup point with a 1-1 draw against Switzerland, a significant achievement following their previous performance in 2022 where they did not earn any points.