India, June 18 -- The World Cup is barely a week old, yet it already feels impossible to predict. Giants have been shaken, debutants have announced themselves, and some of football's biggest stars have wasted no time in taking centre stage. With 75 goals, a record number of opening-round draws and several shock results, the first 24 matches of FIFA World Cup 2026 have offered a glimpse into a tournament where reputation counts for little and surprises lurk around every corner.

The numbers set the tone before any analysis could. Seventy-five goals in 24 matches - an average of just over three per game. Only one fixture in the opening round ended goalless: Spain's shock 0-0 draw against World Cup debutants Cape Verde, a result that carried...