World Cup Day 6 What to Watch: Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland in the spotlight
The 2026 World Cup continues on Tuesday with Groups I and J in action.
Four star-filled matches are on the schedule with the finalists from the 2022 World Cup final in action, as well as Erling Haaland leading Norway in their first World Cup since 1998. Here’s what you need to know for a busy day of soccer.
France vs. Senegal
Tuesday, June 16 | 3 p.m. ET | East Rutherford, New Jersey | TV: Fox
Odds: France (-220), Senegal (+600), Tie (+340)
The 2022 World Cup runners-up look to make another deep run in the competition as they return yet another deep, dangerous roster under departing manager Didier Deschamps. Champions in 2018, Les Bleus were nearly back-to-back winners four years ago and remain one of the favorites this summer.
This France team is so talented, even Paul Pogba, who was on the 2018 winning side, says that the 2026 squad is better than the one from Russia eight years ago.
“Yeah. I think everybody sees them as favorites,” Pogba told ESPN. “They have to [be]. They have probably the best players in the world. But obviously, that is not enough to win a World Cup, and there is more pressure on them,” he continued, adding that “they have to keep the standard as high as possible.”
Senegal faced France in the opening game of the 2002 World Cup and shocked the reigning champions with a 1-0 victory. In only three appearances, the Lions of Teranga have done fairly well after making the quarterfinals in 2002 and the Round of 16 in Qatar in 2022.
This will not be an easy game against a powerful France team, and points being very important with a rising Norway also in the group.
Iraq vs. Norway
Tuesday, June 16 | 6 p.m. ET | Boston | TV: Fox
Odds: Iraq (+1300), Norway (-550), Tie (+600)
The Røde, Hvite, Blå have returned to the World Cup for the first time in 28 years and feature one of the world’s most dangerous goal scorers in Erling Haaland. The Manchester City striker has shown his dominance on the club and international stage, but this competition will place him under an even bigger spotlight.
Norway features a “golden generation” squad with Martin Ødegaard and Alexander Sørloth among those playing well for their club sides. There are expectations with this group, and anything short of advancing out to the Round of 32 would be labeled as a major disappointment.
Iraq is still seeking its first World Cup point after failing to win any of its three matches in its only other appearance at Mexico 1986.
The Lions of Mesopotamia needed to go through 21 qualifying matches to get here. They were boosted by the goals of Aymen Hussein, who scored nine times during qualifying, and a defensive block that will look to stunt Haaland’s advances.
Argentina vs. Algeria
Tuesday, June 16 | 9 p.m. ET | Kansas City, Missouri | TV: Fox
Odds: Argentina (-260), Algeria (+750), Tie +360
The reigning champions look to kick off their title defense with a better start than the 2022 World Cup, when they lost to Saudi Arabia. Will this be Lionel Messi’s final games in an Argentina shirt? Time will tell, but Lionel Scaloni’s squad will be eager to take an early three points in what is set to be a very tough group.
Emiliano Martínez, the Golden Glove winner in 2022, will be between the sticks after recovering from a fractured ring finger on his right hand. It was only late last week when he began training using both gloves.
Algeria reached the Round of 16 at Brazil 2014, but failed to qualify for the next two World Cups. The Fennecs are back, though they will miss veteran defender Ramy Bensebaini for the opening match due to injury.
The side has set up base camp in Lawrence, Kansas, and picked up a strong local following. Featuring a large number of Algerian immigrants in the area, the team has earned the support of the area, and while Messi and Argentina will have their fans in attendance, the Desert Foxes will see a vocal contingent in Kansas City.
Austria vs. Jordan
Tuesday, June 16 | 12 a.m. ET | Santa Clara, California | TV: FS1
Odds: Austria (-320), Jordan (+850), Tie (+460)
Austria is back at the World Cup after a 28-year wait and looks to follow up a ninth-place finish at the 2024 Euros with a strong showing this summer. Das Team is full of experience, led by David Alaba, Marcel Sabitzer and Marko Arnautović. Manager Ralf Rangnick’s high press has delivered results, and this opening match will be a good opportunity to take an early three points.
Jordan has been surging over the past year. After reaching their first-ever Arab Cup final in December, The Chivalrous Ones automatically qualified through the Asian Football Confederation.
World Cup first-timers, Jamal Sellami’s side will have to play organized if they are to scratch out points in this group. With a 48-team field and eight third-place teams advancing, the door is open for a surprise team like Jordan to sneak into the Round of 32.
