Top five ‘must-watch’ matches of the group stage at World Cup 2026

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World Cup 2026 station  label

There are a grounds 72 radical games astatine this summer’s tournament, and we’ve picked the matches that you shouldn’t miss.

The FIFA World Cup begins connected June 11. You tin travel the enactment connected Al Jazeera’s dedicated World Cup 2026 page with each the latest news, lucifer build-up and unrecorded substance commentary, and support up to day with radical standings, real-time lucifer results and schedules.

The group stages astatine FIFA World Cup 2026 volition beryllium a feast of shot – and a trial of endurance – with 72 matches scheduled crossed much than 2 weeks from June 11 until June 27.

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With galore games being played each day, the fixture database looks a small overwhelming for the archetypal fewer weeks of the tournament.

To assistance you out, we’ve picked the 5 “must-watch” fixtures of the radical stage.

Brazil's Vinicius Junior celebrates scoring their archetypal  extremity   with Bruno Guimaraes Can Vinicius Junior, left, pb Brazil to a grounds sixth World Cup title? [File: Ricardo Moraes/Reuters]

⚽️ Brazil vs Morocco

East Rutherford, New Jersey, US – June 13, 6pm (22:00 GMT).

This Group C fixture should beryllium the item of the archetypal play of the tournament, arsenic five-time champions Brazil instrumentality connected Qatar 2022 surprise bundle Morocco successful New Jersey.

Brazil travel into the tourney with an ageing squad, but tin inactive constituent to respective superstars amongst their ranks, including Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior. With seasoned manager Carlo Ancelotti successful charge, expect them to marque the second stages this summer.

Morocco volition beryllium bidding to emulate their grounds tally to the semifinals successful Qatar. They get successful North America arsenic African Cup of Nations champions, aft being retrospectively awarded the rubric pursuing a controversial last decision to Senegal. Big names see Brahim Diaz and Achraf Hakimi.

⚽️ Netherlands vs Japan

Dallas, Texas, US – June 14, 3pm (20:00 GMT).

A cracking fixture to footwear disconnected Group F, arsenic Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands broadside instrumentality connected the much-fancied Japan astatine the tremendous 94,000 spot Dallas Stadium successful Arlington, Texas.

The Netherlands are seeking to triumph the World Cup for the archetypal clip and volition beryllium fixed a stern introspection by a Japanese team, which are nary strangers to causing upsets astatine the World Cup.

At Qatar 2022, Samurai Blue defeated some Germany and Spain successful the radical signifier earlier losing to Croatia connected penalties successful the circular of 16.

Both of these teams volition beryllium looking to apical Group F, with Sweden and Tunisia improbable to airs excessively galore challenges successful their different matches.

INTERACTIVE-Football FIFA How teams are radical  World Cup 2026-1776670778(Al Jazeera)

⚽️ France vs Senegal

East Rutherford, New Jersey, US – June 16, 3pm (19:00 GMT).

These 2 sides person not played for much than 2 decades, and their past brushwood was an unforgettable affair.

Senegal stunned France – and the satellite – by beating the defending champions 1-0 successful the opening crippled of the Japan-South Korea World Cup successful 2002.

The long-awaited rematch takes spot successful New Jersey and should beryllium an arsenic intriguing encounter.

Group I has been labelled the “Group of Death” astatine this tournament, with Norway and Iraq besides involved. Expect the victor of this brushwood to beryllium successful with a bully accidental of topping the table.

Jude Bellingham celebratingReal Madrid’s Jude Bellingham volition beryllium a cardinal subordinate for England this summertime [File: Lee Smith/Reuters]

⚽️ England vs Croatia

Dallas, Texas, US – June 17, 3pm (20:00 GMT).

This matchup is simply a repetition of the 2018 World Cup semifinal, erstwhile Croatia came from behind to scope the last against France successful Russia.

The 2 sides person met 3 times since then, with England winning doubly and the different fixture a goalless draw.

This contention volition beryllium a immense trial for England manager Thomas Tuchel, who is starring the Three Lions into a tourney for the archetypal time.

With Ghana and Panama making up Group L, this crippled should spell a agelong mode successful deciding who finishes the radical signifier connected top.

⚽️ Colombia vs Portugal

Miami, Florida, US – June 27, 7:30pm (23:30 GMT).

The Miami Stadium should beryllium electrical for this Saturday evening lucifer arsenic Group K comes to a close.

Tickets for this group-stage fixture astatine Miami Stadium are wholly sold retired – and specified is the immense spectator request for this matchup that recognised resale sites person tickets listed betwixt $2,200 and $3,000, making it the astir costly group-stage lucifer of the 2026 tournament.

Colombia were precise beardown successful World Cup qualifying and volition look to Luis Diaz and James Rodriguez to supply plentifulness of attacking flair.

In a radical containing Uzbekistan and DR Congo, this could good beryllium the brushwood that decides apical spot. Portugal volition commencement arsenic favourites – but expect plentifulness of fireworks.

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