Live Wire’s W/C Notes: Morocco’s global XI shine, an unexpected Brazilian hattrick, and Team Europe confounded (so far)

Not surprisingly, the most seismic performance of the 2026 World Cup has come from a Brazilian who was made for the big stage.

No, Mr Live Wire isn’t referring to Seleção striker Igor Thiago—surely more heir to Richarlison than R9—but referee Wilton Sampaio, who somehow saw cause to distribute three red cards in the World Cup opener between Mexico and South Africa.

For context, there were four red cards handed out in the entire Qatar 2022 World Cup.

With such a scattergun approach and God-like complex, if Sampaio ever decides to move on from refereeing, he can surely find employment in the TTPS.

Of course, the USA-Canada-Mexico World Cup was always likely to be as much about international feuds, shady deals and dodgy immigration as it was exciting football. And so far, so expected.

USA has so far refused to host qualified member association, Iran, turned back Somalian referee Omar Artan and basically treated the granting of visas like a game of bran tub.

While, on the field, Morocco became the first nation in World Cup history to field an entire XI comprised of players born elsewhere—all in Europe, actually. Well, that’s one way to be sure of getting visas.

And, with no shortage of irony, they then played the pants off a Brazil squad comprised of players all born in Brazil. Probably the Brazil just south of La Horquetta.

Eighteen-year-old Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi gave the performance of the World Cup so far, with a virtuoso showing that combined twinkle-toed elegance with calculated efficiency.

Bouaddi was captain of the France National Under-21 team up until March and represented France, the land of his birth, at international youth level for the past four years. Yet, there is an image of the pre-teen Bouaddi proudly supporting Morocco at an international football game—long before the north African nation sent him an invitation.

Nationality can be a complicated thing then. One can be born and raised in one state while pledging loyalty to another, for a host of reasons. Think religion. Or Nari outside his outside woman’s house.

Incidentally, European teams have struggled at the World Cup so far with just one win from five attempts—not counting Morocco’s 1-1 draw with Brazil. Maybe Japan and Tunisia would take heart from that, as they face Netherlands and Sweden respectively today.

God knows what whether Curaçao team chock-full of Netherlands-born talent would make of that, though, as they prepare to face Germany.

Respect to the Republic of Korea for a sublime showing in their 2-1 come-from-behind triumph over the Czech Republic, led by PSG attacker Kang-In Lee.

Well done as well to Mexico forward Julián Quiñones, a former Colombia youth international, who scored the first goal of the 2026 World Cup and helped his adapted nation to their first opening day triumph in the tournament since 1986.

May Quiñones’ success lead to a more tolerant era from Mexico supporters, who flooded the Instagram account of Trinidad and Tobago players with racist abuse after our goalless draw at the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup.

And, of course, congrats to Team USA who pummelled Paraguay 4-1 to send the millions of Americans not watching the NBA finals into ecstasy.

The 2026 World Cup officially has lift off!

Editor’s Note: For the record, a quarter of the goals at the 2026 World Cup so far have come from players representing nations they were not born in. Bosnia’s Jovo Lukić was born in Serbia, Switzerland’s Breel Embolo was born in Cameroon, Morocco’s Ismael Saibari was born in Spain and Australia’s Nestory Irankunda was born in a Tanzanian refugee camp to Burundian parents.

That does not count the double scored by USA’s Folarin Balogun, who was born in Brooklyn, New York only because airline staff refused to allow his heavily-pregnant Nigerian mom on to a return flight for London due to safety concerns.

A tip of the hat then to those who recognise the humanity and vital contributions played by immigrants across the globe. Just don’t let ICE see ya!

World Cup Notes

Best match so far: Pulsating 1-1 draw between Brazil and Morocco.

Worst match so far: Mexico got a historic 2-0 win over South Africa, but that game should only be rewatched before siestas.

Goal of the tournament entry: Vinicius Junior’s corker for Brazil against Morocco combined finesse, violence and surgical precision. Don’t count out the Samba Boys too early!

Star watch: Morocco’s Ayyoub Bouaddi must have bathed in a tub of grease before kickoff, the way he was slipping through Brazilian challenges like how prime Jack Warner danced past auditors.

Nah man: South Korea captain and star attacker Heung-Min Son was largely anonymous and was substituted before his country rebounded to edge the Czech Republic.

But his underwhelming showing was eclipsed by Haiti playmaker Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, who ran around for 90 minutes against Scotland with all the composure of a three-year-old who ate a small mountain of sweets.

Game to watch: Netherlands vs Japan should be plenty swanky this afternoon, while Spain vs Cape Verde near high-noon tomorrow could be interesting—considering how Europeans fumbled across the New World so far in this tournament.

Enjoy!