The editorial team at France 24 presents a chronological selection of the most anticipated matches in the first round of the 2026 World Cup.
Thrilling Showdowns Await
The first significant clash of the tournament is set to take place on June 14 at midnight (local time) at the Metlife Stadium in New York, featuring Brazil versus Morocco. On one side, the African champions, Morocco, who recently won the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN 2025), will take on the Brazilian squad, adorned with five stars from their past World Cup victories. This match serves as a critical test for both teams, particularly for their respective coaches, as it marks their first World Cup appearance. Brazil, under the guidance of Carlo Ancelotti, will rely on star players such as Raphinha from FC Barcelona and 2024 Ballon d'Or runner-up Vinicius Junior, although they will be without Neymar due to an injury. Meanwhile, Morocco, coached by Mohamed Ouahbi, will have to navigate the absence of central defender Nayef Aguerd and winger Abde Ezzalzouli but can count on Champions League winner Achraf Hakimi from PSG to lead their charge. The contest is expected to be closely contested, showcasing the talents of both teams.
Later that day, the Netherlands will face Japan at 10 PM. This matchup in Group F promises to be explosive, as Japan enters their eighth consecutive World Cup with a strong qualification campaign, while the Dutch team, having navigated a relatively easy qualification group, remains unbeaten. The teams previously met at the same stage 16 years ago in South Africa, where the Netherlands narrowly won with a goal from Wesley Sneijder. The AT&T stadium in Dallas will host this thrilling encounter, featuring stars like Liverpool's Virgil Van Dijk and Real Sociedad's Take Kubo.
On June 16, France will take on Senegal at 9 PM, a rematch that recalls the shocking upset when Senegal defeated the then-defending champions in 2002. This time around, the stakes are high as France is not the reigning champion, and Senegal has emerged as one of Africa's top teams, having reached the CAN finals twice in recent editions and winning the 2025 title on the field. The eyes of the football world will be on this matchup at the Metlife Stadium, where stars like Kylian Mbappé and Sadio Mané will battle it out.
The following day, on June 17 at 3 AM, the defending champions Argentina will open their World Cup campaign against Algeria, who have remained undefeated in their preparations, including a recent victory over the Netherlands. This will be an exciting first-time encounter between the two nations in World Cup group play, as Algeria seeks to make an impact in Group J alongside Jordan and Austria, aiming to match their best performance of reaching the Round of 16 in 2014. The pressure is on Lionel Scaloni's squad to live up to their champion status, while fans will be eager to see if the "champion's curse" will strike again. Despite the late hour, this match at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City is expected to attract a wide audience beyond just Argentine and Algerian fans.
On June 17 at 10 PM, England will face Croatia in a rematch of their dramatic semi-final from the 2018 World Cup, which saw Croatia emerge victorious after extra time. The two teams will meet in the United States for another intense contest in Group L, which also features Ghana and Panama. Croatia has consistently performed well in World Cups, reaching the semi-finals in the last two editions, while England seeks to rebound from a fourth-place finish in 2018 and a disappointing quarter-final exit in 2022. The absence of key players Cole Palmer and Phil Foden, who were not selected by coach Thomas Tuchel, adds another layer of complexity to England's campaign.
June 20 will see Germany clash with the Ivory Coast at 10 PM, as the German squad looks to bounce back from a disappointing early exit in 2022. Coach Julian Nagelsmann aims to send a strong message to their Group E rivals, particularly the Elephants, who are returning to the World Cup for the first time since 2014. The Ivory Coast hopes to advance past the group stage, relying on a youthful attack, while Germany seeks to combine experience and youth in their lineup.
In a highly anticipated encounter on June 27 at 2 AM, Uruguay will take on Spain, marking the only group stage match between two former World Cup champions. While Spain aims to secure a double Euro-World Cup triumph, Uruguay is desperate to end a title drought since their 2011 Copa America win. Led by Marcelo Bielsa, Uruguay hopes to navigate a manageable group, while Spain, fresh off their Euro 2024 victory, seeks to leverage their experienced core alongside emerging talents.
Lastly, on June 28 at 1:30 AM, Colombia will face Portugal in the final match of the group stage. This battle will feature two former teammates from Real Madrid, James Rodriguez and Cristiano Ronaldo, both of whom are expected to retire from international football after this tournament. This matchup is likely to determine the group leader unless DR Congo causes an upset. The stakes are high as both nations vie for glory in a thrilling conclusion to the group stages.
As reported by france24.com.
