South Korea opened the 48‑team World Cup with a 2-0 win over Czechia, turning early deficit into triumph and proving Asian teams can beat European foes.

Australia followed, beating Turkey 2-0 in a match that stunned a squad that had dismissed the Socceroos as a threat.

Japan capped the first batch of games with a dramatic 0-0 draw against the Netherlands, keeping the Dutch’s top‑ranked position in check.

The AFC’s flawless start, with six matches without defeat, signals that Asian squads are serious contenders and that the tournament’s quality remains high.