NOW that every team has played at least once, here are five things we learned from the first week of the 2022 World Cup.

Excellent England and Scintillating Spain

Of the handful of teams considered among the favourites before the tournament began, England and Spain will be happiest with their opening-game performances.

There were shock defeats for Argentina and Germany, falling to Saudi Arabia and Japan respectively, while France flattered to deceive for much of their 4-1 win over Australia before finishing strongly and Portugal only narrowly escaped with three points against Ghana.

Brazil looked solid as they vanquished a tough Serbia side 2-0, with Richarlison providing an early Goal of the Tournament contender as part of his brace.

But England and Spain have been, thus far, the most efficient and ruthless sides of the first round of fixtures.

Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions beat Iran 6-2, with the most surprising aspect of their goalfest being that captain Harry Kane was not among the scorers – although he did provide two assists. England’s dominance over Carlos Queiroz’s side was total, with young stars Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka the standout performers.

And the notion that the result was perhaps more reflective of a poor Iran team, as opposed to being any indicator of England’s World Cup hopes, was undone somewhat by the beaten team’s well-deserved 2-0 win over Wales on Friday.

Accusations of flat-track bullying followed Spain’s 7-0 victory over Costa Rica, too, but Luis Enrique’s side demonstrated a flow, creativity and confidence that caught the eye, regardless their opposition. Like England, Spain’s youngsters impressed most, with Barcelona duo Gavi and Pedri proving unawed by their debuts on football’s biggest stage.

Upset Menu

The aforementioned under-performance of some of the World Cup’s expected big hitters has already provided two of the biggest upsets in recent tournament history. And such giant-slayings might be more common in Qatar than in past World Cups.

How teams would adjust to the unusual timing of this World Cup was always a point of intrigue. Occurring mid-season, there was little to no time for extensive tactical and physical preparation on the training pitch, let alone warm-up friendly matches, for those with many players in the big European leagues.

Saudi Arabia’s toppling of Lionel Messi and Argentina and Germany’s fall to Japan might be indicative of the mid-season timing of this World Cup being something of a leveller. Perhaps now more than ever, those most prepared and well drilled can overcome significant talent deficits. Maybe there will be more upsets on the menu.

Sub-Par Spectacle

Upsets are up, but goals are down.

There have been four 0-0 draws in the opening round of games in Qatar, more than in any previous World Cup at the same stage. One of those stalemates – Uruguay vs South Korea – became the first World Cup match since 1966 to yield just a single shot on target. The record number of 0-0 draws at a World Cup since the tournament moved to a 32-team format in 1998 is seven. Qatar 2022 could have that beat before the final round of group-stage fixtures is finished.

The goals-per-game average for the first 16 matches in Qatar stands at 2.56. That’s lower than the tournament average for the past two World Cups, but still higher than the three editions before that.

However, take away the outliers of England’s thrashing of Iran and Spain’s demolition of Costa Rica – scoring rates that are unsustainable, even for two of the most talent-filled sides at the World Cup – and the goals-per-game average for the remaining 14 fixtures falls to 1.7, an all-time low.

Something to Celebrate

With fewer goals, players are finding different successes to celebrate. We’ve witnessed multiple crunching tackles sparking the kind of fist pumps and joyous screams that would flatter any 30-yard rocket into the top corner.

Tunisia’s Aissa Laidouni enthusiastically flexed his muscles and beat his chest after a particularly impressive challenge on Manchester United’s Christian Eriksen as he helped his side earn a draw with Denmark. Uruguay and Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde reacted similarly after making a tackle in a 0-0 draw with South Korea, and there were several instances of Saudi Arabian celebrations after well-timed interventions in their shock defeat of Argentina.

More of this, please. The goal-scorers shouldn’t hog all the glory. Let’s spread some shine on those doing the dirty work.

And Finally … This World Cup Should Not Be Happening

The off-field controversies that have plagued the 2022 World Cup – from the moment it was awarded to Qatar in 2010 right through to the tournament’s opening week – have raised the question, who does the World Cup belong to?

It is, of course, organised and operated by FIFA, but world football’s governing body cannot be considered the spiritual guardians of the World Cup.

From president Gianni Infantino’s bizarre and offensive “today I feel gay … today I feel I am a migrant worker” speech on the eve of the tournament to the decision to punish team captains wishing to wear “One Love” rainbow armbands in support of the LBGTQ+ community with a yellow card, it has become clear that FIFA’s messages of inclusion are a sham.

They might have back-peddled from the armband decision more frantically than a Chris Hoy highlight video on triple-speed rewind, but FIFA have proved their support for marginalised groups fades in the face of the slightest inconvenience.

The World Cup belongs to everybody. To anyone from any background, of any creed, colour, social standing and sexuality. To all of us. It is reasonable to expect travelling fans to act respectfully and bend their habits in adherence with the laws and values of the host nation. Restrictions around the consumption of alcohol in Qatar, for example, can be understood and absorbed. But such respectful acceptance does not extend to legislation and discrimination against certain groups simply for existing; for the crime of being who they are.

Such a celebration of diversity as the World Cup cannot find a home any place where homosexuality is outlawed, where rainbow flags of LBGTQ+ support are confiscated, and where the stadiums have been built by the indentured labour of exploited migrants forced into deadly working conditions.

FIFA would love for the players to shut up and play, for fans be quiet and watch. They want us only to focus on the footballing spectacle they’re giving us, failing to recognise everything they’ve taken away.