Twenty years after the defending champions began playing the World Cup’s opening match, they finally won one. The system was introduced for Germany 1974 and used for the last time at Korea/Japan 2002, with the host nation participating in the fixture thereafter.
In the 1974 curtain-raiser, Mexico 1970 conquerors Brazil and Yugoslavia finished goalless. Holders West Germany then drew 0-0 with Poland in the kick-off to the 1978 finals, before Argentina lost 1-0 to Belgium four years later. Bulgaria snatched a point against Italy in the 1986 edition’s opening game, before Cameroon stunned Argentina 1-0 in 1990.
Germany made the breakthrough for defending champions by beating Bolivia to get USA 1994 under way, Jurgen Klinsmann getting the only goal in Chicago. Brazil made it back-to-back victories for the holders by edging Scotland 2-1 in Saint-Denis in 1998, but France fell to Senegal in a seismic shock in 2002.
Mexico will play South Africa at Mexico City Stadium in the opening game of the World Cup 2026.
Highlights: France 0-1 Senegal
Highlights: Brazil 2-1 Scotland
Highlights: Germany 1-0 Bolivia
Highlights: Argentina 0-1 Cameroon
Highlights: Italy 1-1 Bulgaria
Highlights: Argentina 0-1 Belgium
