New Delhi, June 28 -- The group stage of FIFA World Cup 2026 had it all, the magic of legends Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, a glimpse of the future with Erling Haaland, Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappe, among others getting their shine and nations like debutant Cape Verde and DR Congo receiving historic knockout berths.

The round of 32 will start with a clash between knockout stage first-timers South Africa and co-hosts Canada at Inglewood. But before that, let us look at the FIFA WC group stage in numbers.

92: Egypt ended their wait for the much-anticipated first win in the World Cup after debuting in 1934. In their fourth FIFA WC, the Pharaohs defeated New Zealand, courtesy of goals from Zico, Mohamed Salah and Trezeguet.

Their wait...