The FIFA World Cup 2026 final draw threw up a host of intriguing group-stage match-ups. These included clashes between teams who have previously faced off on the grandest stage of all. Here, we relive five memorable World Cup games involving nations primed to lock horns again at next year's global finals.
Spain 2-2 Uruguay | Brazil 1950
A final-round group stage determined the winners of the 1950 World Cup, with Uruguay, Brazil, Spain and Sweden battling it out for the crown. Every game in this phase, then, carried huge significance – and Uruguay's clash with Spain was among the most dramatic to unfold. After the European side stormed back from a goal down to lead, Obdulio Varela hit a 73rd-minute equaliser for La Celeste. The result gave Uruguay a vital shot of momentum and they went on to beat Sweden and hosts Brazil to clinch a second world title.
The teams will clash again in a blockbuster World Cup 2026 match. A feverish crowd is expected at Estadio Guadalajara as Marcelo Bielsa's team take on La Roja, the reigning European champions in their final Group H game.
Brazil 4-1 Scotland | Spain 1982
Brazil and Scotland's World Cup 2026 meeting will mark the fifth time they have met in the group phase, making it the joint most-played fixture at this stage.
Arguably their most memorable encounter came back at Spain 1982, when David Narey's thunderbolt fired the Scots into a shock lead in Seville. That strike, however, served to stun a dazzlingly gifted Brazilian team into action. Zico's breathtaking free-kick levelled the scores, before Oscar headed A Seleção in front. Eder's ingenious lob made it 3-1 and Falcao's low drive completed the scoring.
France 0-1 Senegal | Korea/Japan 2002
France headed into the 2002 World Cup as defending champions and with a star-studded squad many tipped to go all the way again. Their defeat against Senegal in the tournament's opening game, consequently, sent shockwaves around planet football. Papa Bouba Diop was the match-winner for the heroic Lions of Teranga, who were making their maiden appearance at the global finals. The midfielder, who tragically passed away aged 42 in 2020, etched his name into World Cup folklore with his 30th-minute strike.
The teams will meet for the first time since that Seoul showdown when they kick off Group I in New York New Jersey. Will Kylian Mbappe and Co gain a measure of revenge for that 2002 clash, or can Senegal record another upset?
South Africa 1-1 Mexico | South Africa 2010
South Africa v Mexico will open a World Cup for the second time at the 2026 finals, with the fixture having also kicked off the 2010 edition. On that occasion, Siphiwe Tshabalala sent the Johannesburg crowd into raptures when he rifled the hosts ahead at Soccer City. Rafael Marquez levelled late on for Mexico in a game which will go down in history as the first World Cup match to be staged on African soil.
In 2026, El Tri will feel the backing of their passionate support when they take on South Africa at the iconic Mexico City Stadium. It will be the first time the opening fixture has been repeated from the 19 previous tournaments which started with a one-game matchday.
Croatia 2-1 England | Russia 2018
Two European heavyweights will go head-to-head at the 2026 extravaganza in a repeat of a dramatic semi-final from 2018.
Back then, England were eyeing a return to the World Cup final 52 years after their previous appearance in the title decider. Croatia, meanwhile, were hunting a spot in the showpiece match for the first time ever.
The Three Lions got off to a dream start when Kieran Trippier curled in a sumptuous free-kick, but Croatia hit back through Ivan Perisic's acrobatic finish. A clinical extra-time strike from Mario Mandzukic proved decisive as Croatia emerged triumphant and booked a final showdown with France.
