History, rivalry, and star power collide across six enormous group stage matches on June 16 and 17. Messi opens his title defence. Haaland makes his long-awaited World Cup debut. Ronaldo hunts glory in Houston. And England walk back into a rematch that still carries scars. Here is our complete guide to the action.
🗓️ June 16 – Group I | France vs Senegal
Kick-off: 10:00 PM (Nigerian Time)
No fixture in this round carries more narrative weight. The last time France and Senegal met at a World Cup was the opening day of 2002 — the Teranga Lions stunned the reigning world champions 1-0 in one of the greatest upsets in tournament history. Twenty-four years on, Senegal arrive in New Jersey at MetLife Stadium with that memory in their collective bloodstream.
France, however, come armed with arguably the deepest squad at the tournament. Didier Deschamps, entering what is widely expected to be his final tournament as Les Bleus manager, can call on Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembele, and Desire Doue in a front line that is the envy of the world. Their qualifying campaign was dominant — 16 goals scored, just four conceded across six unbeaten matches. Warm-up wins over Brazil and Colombia in March 2026 further underlined their credentials.
Senegal are no soft opener. They qualified from their African group unbeaten, reached the AFCON final earlier this year and hold a remarkable 3-1 away victory over England from last summer. Nicolas Jackson leads the line with directness and pace, and Iliman Ndiaye is a creative menace in tight spaces. Question marks remain over Ismaila Sarr’s fitness and their recent results have dipped — a 3-2 defeat to the USA and a goalless draw with Saudi Arabia in their final warmups.
The concern for France is defensive. Les Bleus conceded in both warm-up games and a 1-2 friendly loss to Ivory Coast on June 4 exposed vulnerabilities at the back. Senegal’s counter-attacking pace is exactly the profile to punish that. France should still win — the class is simply too great — but this will not be comfortable.
Our Prediction: France 2-1 Senegal
🗓️ June 17 – Five Matches That Will Define Groups
Group I | Iraq vs Norway
Kick-off: 1:00 AM (Nigerian Time)
This is the night the football world has been waiting for. Erling Haaland finally makes his FIFA World Cup debut, and the question on everyone’s lips is the same one Iraq’s defenders will be asking themselves at Gillette Stadium in Boston: how do you stop him?
Norway’s qualifying campaign was nothing short of historic — a perfect eight wins from eight in UEFA qualifying, scoring 37 goals at an average of 4.6 per game, the best ever rate by any European nation in a single qualifying campaign. Martin Ødegaard marshals the midfield, Antonio Nusa provides width and creativity, and Alexander Sørloth adds aerial menace alongside Haaland up top.
Iraq’s story is just as remarkable, even if their profile is considerably lower. They are back at the World Cup for the first time since 1986 — 40 years ago — having qualified through the most arduous inter-confederation playoff route of any team in the field, playing 21 qualifying matches in total. Under Australian coach Graham Arnold, they are organised and hard to break down. A 1-1 friendly draw with Spain on June 4 demonstrated real defensive discipline.
But Norway’s quality is simply overwhelming. Iraq can frustrate, but the Haaland factor tips this emphatically in one direction.
Our Prediction: Norway 3-0 Iraq
Group J | Argentina vs Algeria
Kick-off: 4:00 AM (Nigerian Time)
Lionel Messi returns to the World Cup stage at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, beginning his title defence as the number one ranked team on the planet. The question hovering over this fixture is the same that has followed Argentina into every game since December — how many minutes does Messi get? A hamstring concern means Scaloni will manage his captain carefully. He still needed just three minutes off the bench to score from the penalty spot in a 3-0 friendly win over Iceland.
Argentina’s qualification was dominant — 38 points from 18 CONMEBOL matches, including a commanding 4-1 win over Brazil in Buenos Aires. They are the fourth-favourites to win the tournament outright. Messi’s 13 World Cup goals and eight assists remain the backdrop against which everything is measured.
Algeria, however, are not to be taken lightly. They arrive ranked 28th in the world, in excellent form, and with serious pace and flair in their forward line through Riyad Mahrez and Mohammed Amoura. They can punish a sluggish start. Argentina know this better than anyone — they lost their 2022 opener to Saudi Arabia, and the ghosts of that performance will be motivating every player in the dressing room.
Despite the slight awkwardness of the fixture, Argentina’s class and desire to set the tone as holders should carry them through.
Our Prediction: Argentina 2-0 Algeria
Group J | Austria vs Jordan
Kick-off: 7:00 AM (Nigerian Time)
Both teams arrive at Levi’s Stadium in San Francisco knowing that whoever finishes second in Group J behind Argentina will have earned it. Austria are back at the World Cup for the first time since 1998 — a 28-year absence that makes this moment enormously significant for Ralf Rangnick’s side. And they have arrived in excellent shape: unbeaten since October 2025, with nine wins in their last 11 games and a defensive record of just seven goals conceded in their last 17 outings.
Jordan are writing their own piece of history — this is their first-ever World Cup appearance. The achievement alone is extraordinary. They qualified with an unbeaten away record from the AFC section and scored 32 goals across their qualifying campaign, their highest tally ever. Mousa Tamari is the attacking heartbeat, and Jordan carry real speed on the counter. They are also tactically flexible under Jamal Sellami, and they showed at the 2023 Asian Cup — where they reached the final — that they are no pushovers on the big stage.
But Austria’s experience, structure and depth across the squad make them the stronger side. Jordan can create moments, but three points should go to the Austrians.
Our Prediction: Austria 2-1 Jordan
Group K | Portugal vs DR Congo
Kick-off: 8:00 PM (Nigerian Time)
Cristiano Ronaldo walks out at NRG Stadium in Houston for what may well be his final World Cup group stage appearance, and he will be determined to mark the occasion. Roberto Martínez has built Portugal into one of the most balanced squads in the tournament — Bruno Fernandes and Vitinha in the engine room, Bernardo Silva and Pedro Neto providing width, and a forward line that has been averaging 3.33 goals per game in recent competitive form.
DR Congo arrive as only the second-ever World Cup participant from their nation, back on the global stage for the first time in 52 years after a journey through African qualifying that required defeating Cameroon and Nigeria. They are not here to make up the numbers — Yoane Wissa, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Chancel Mbemba bring serious Premier League pedigree, and coach Sébastien Desabre has built a defensively compact unit that conceded just nine goals across 16 matches in their broader competitive run.
The plan for DR Congo is clear: sit deep, protect the shape, spring on the counter through the pace of Fiston Mayele up front. Portugal will have the lion’s share of possession and must be patient. Given their attack, patience will be rewarded.
Our Prediction: Portugal 3-0 DR Congo
Group L | England vs Croatia
Kick-off: 11:00 PM (Nigerian Time)
Few fixtures at this World Cup carry the same emotional charge as England vs Croatia. The 2018 World Cup semi-final — Croatia coming from behind to win 2-1 after extra time — remains one of the most painful nights in modern English football history. Eight years on, England walk out at AT&T Stadium in Dallas with a chance to begin writing a different story.
Thomas Tuchel’s England qualified with a record that was nothing short of perfect: eight wins, zero draws, zero defeats, 22 goals scored and none conceded. Harry Kane leads the attack with the experience of a man who has carried this team for years. Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice are among the most complete players at the tournament in their respective positions. Jude Bellingham brings the game-changing individual quality in the number ten role.
Croatia have not gone away quietly. They remain one of the most battle-hardened sides in international football — runners-up in 2018, third in 2022. Luka Modrić leads the side into what is almost certainly his last World Cup, while Joško Gvardiol at centre-back and Mateo Kovačić in midfield add genuine quality. Five wins from their last six matches show they arrive in form.
But England’s depth, defensive solidity and hunger to make a statement make them the clear pick here. Croatia will make it competitive, as they always do, but the Three Lions should edge it.
Our Prediction: England 2-1 Croatia
Summary: Our Predictions for June 16 & 17
| Match | Group | Prediction |
|---|---|---|
| France vs Senegal | I | 2-1 France |
| Iraq vs Norway | I | 0-3 Norway |
| Argentina vs Algeria | J | 2-0 Argentina |
| Austria vs Jordan | J | 2-1 Austria |
| Portugal vs DR Congo | K | 3-0 Portugal |
| England vs Croatia | L | 2-1 England |
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