Brazil, the first former champions to take the field at the 2026 World Cup, faced disappointment with a 1-1 draw against Morocco. The tournament’s third day also witnessed Qatar's historic first point, Scotland breaking a 36-year winless streak, and Australia's impressive victory over Turkey.

Australia's head coach Tony Popovic took a bold risk by fielding young talents in their World Cup opener, resulting in a surprising 2-0 victory over Turkey. Nestory Irankunda scored the opener, while goalkeeper Patrick Beach kept a clean sheet, showcasing the team's potential for future success.