Hosts make fast start at 2026 World Cup, but how have past hosts fared? | OneFootball

United States and Mexico are through to the round of 32 after winning both group matches, with the United States already guaranteed top spot.

Canada remain unbeaten on four points and could reach the knockouts for the first time. According to L'Équipe, the co-hosts have set a lively early tempo.

Home champions include Uruguay in 1930, who beat Argentina 4-2, and Italy in 1934, 2-1 after extra time against Czechoslovakia. England won in 1966, 4-2 after extra time against West Germany, then West Germany in 1974, 2-1 against the Netherlands, and Argentina in 1978, 3-1 after extra time against the Netherlands. France lifted the trophy in 1998, 3-0 against Brazil.

Strong home runs without the trophy include Brazil in 1950, edged by Uruguay in the final group decider known as the Maracanazo, 1-2. Chile finished third in 1962 after beating Yugoslavia, with Italy in 1990 and Germany in 2006 also taking bronze.

There have been last-eight exits on home soil. Mexico in 1986 fell to West Germany on penalties after a 0-0 draw, and Russia in 2018 beat Spain on penalties, 1-1, 4-3, before losing to Croatia the same way, 2-2, 3-4. France in 1938 and Mexico in 1970 were also stopped in the quarter-finals.

Sweden surged in 1958, defeating the Soviet Union 2-0 and West Germany 3-1, but Brazil, inspired by a young Pelé, won the final 5-2. In 2002, co-hosts Japan reached the last 16, while South Korea finished fourth after eliminating Italy 2-1 after extra time and Spain on penalties, 0-0, 5-3.

Other home campaigns ended earlier. Switzerland in 1954 and the United States in 1994 went out in the last 16, Spain fell at the second group phase in 1982, and South Africa were group-stage casualties in 2010 despite beating France.

Qatar struggled in 2022, losing three times, conceding seven and scoring once. Brazil’s 2014 run ended in a 1-7 semi-final defeat by Germany, then a 0-3 loss to the Netherlands in the third-place match.

Source: L'Équipe