India, June 15 -- Goals may win matches, but they don't always tell the full story. As the FIFA World Cup 2026 gathers momentum, the headlines have largely been dominated by Germany's seven-goal masterclass, Sweden's attacking showcase and a string of entertaining encounters. However, beneath the surface, there are bigger trends, surprising developments and overlooked moments that could have a major impact on how the tournament unfolds. Let's take a closer look at 10 stories you may have missed so far.
1. Smaller Nations Are No Longer Just Making Up the Numbers
Curacao may have lost 7-1 to Germany, but they scored on their World Cup debut. Cape Verde, Haiti, Jordan, Iraq, DR Congo and Uzbekistan are all part of a tournament where emerging...