The 2026 FIFA World Cup has revealed a plethora of new and exciting matchups, with tournament debutants such as Curacao and Uzbekistan set to play their first games on the world's biggest stage next summer. But the group-stage draw has also turned out a number of high-profile meetings with significant historical context.

The 2026 World Cup has set the scene for a number of unique encounters, setting up a first-time meeting between North American minnows Curacao and European giants Germany. Uzbekistan will also do battle with Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal for the first time ever, while Spain and Cape Verde are also set to face off for the first time.

But the draw has also provided a number of eye-watering group-stage games that evoke memories of World Cups past.

Mexico vs South Africa

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