The first round of group stage matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup concluded on Thursday, Beijing time. Statistics show that the average goals per match in the first round reached 3.1, with only one 0-0 draw across 24 matches.
According to statistics, a total of 62 goals were scored in the first round of group matches, averaging 3.1 goals per match. This is the highest average for the group stage among recent FIFA World Cups.
Looking at the entire history of the FIFA World Cup, the 1958 Sweden FIFA World Cup had the highest group stage average at 3.6 goals per match.
By comparison, the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup and the 2018 Russia FIFA World Cup both averaged 2.5 goals per match in their group stages. The 2014 Brazil FIFA World Cup group stage saw 136 goals scored, averaging 2.83 goals per match.
Additionally, scoreless draws were rare in this year's first round, with only one match ending 0-0: Spain vs. Cape Verde on June 15. In contrast, the 2022 FIFA World Cup group stage had 4 matches ending in 0-0.