The World Cup of 2006 gets underway with Groups A–D, diving headfirst into one of the most iconic, chaotic and unforgettable years of the 2000s.

From the heartbreak of England v Portugal and the madness of Zidane’s headbutt, to the end of an era with Top of the Pops finishing and the launch of a tiny platform called Twitter, this opening episode is packed with moments that instantly transport you back.

We also get into tabloid chaos surrounding Heather Mills, the birth of Barron Trump, the music, the football and all the random cultural moments that somehow still feel burned into people’s memories.

Some moments changed culture. Others were massive for about three weeks and then disappeared forever. But together they perfectly capture what 2006 felt like.

As always, the criteria is loose — nostalgia, impact, cultural relevance and pure “I forgot that happened” energy all come into play as we decide who deserves to progress.

This is where the tournament begins — and it only gets bigger from here.

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