For many football fans, the era of watching every single World Cup match has faded. With the expansion to 48 teams, a total of 72 group stage games will unfold, leading to the selection of 32 teams for the knockout rounds. This means viewers will need to endure around 108 hours of group-stage football, not counting injury time and breaks, to reach the familiar tournament format we have seen since 1998.
Given the inconvenient kick-off times for supporters worldwide, catching every match will be a challenge. Consequently, we’ve curated a list of must-see games to ensure you don’t miss out during the group stage.
Mexico v South Africa
11 June, 8pm (all times BST)
The tournament kicks off with a rematch of the 2010 World Cup’s opening match between Mexico and South Africa at the historic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. This iconic venue has hosted previous World Cup finals, including the 1970 final won by Brazil and the 1986 final secured by Argentina. It is also where England faced a quarter-final exit due to Diego Maradona’s brilliance.
The 2010 encounter is particularly memorable for Siphiwe Tshabalala’s remarkable goal, dubbed the “goal for all Africa,” which opened the tournament scoring. With Mexico playing at home, expect an equally vibrant and passionate atmosphere reminiscent of Johannesburg’s crowd 16 years ago. The packed 87,500-seat stadium is sure to provide a thrilling spectacle.
Brazil v Morocco
Even with the expanded format, the tournament offers a standout fixture just three days in. Brazil, the five-time champions, will go head-to-head with Morocco, the surprise semi-finalists from 2022, in what promises to be an exciting clash.
Brazil’s roster boasts an impressive array of attacking talent—Carlo Ancelotti has called up six midfielders and nine forwards—employing an aggressive 4-2-4 formation in recent games.
In contrast, Morocco arrives at the tournament with a revamped attacking strategy following their recent Africa Cup of Nations campaign, suggesting they will be more offensive than in their previous outings in Qatar. This setting in New Jersey could lead to an enthralling match-up.
Netherlands v Japan
Another intriguing match is the opening game of Group F, featuring the Netherlands. Although the Dutch squad is filled with talent, their recent 1-0 loss to Algeria in a warm-up friendly raises concerns about their form.
Japan may not be a favorite to win the World Cup, despite manager Hajime Moriyasu’s optimism, but they have a history of upsetting larger teams, having previously defeated Germany and Spain in the 2022 group stage.
A victory for Japan could open up the group significantly, enhancing their chances of topping it, as they did in 2022. The Opta supercomputer estimates their chances at 26.7%, which would significantly improve with a win in this match.
Spain v Cape Verde
Spain, the reigning European champions and favorites to win the World Cup, will begin their campaign against Cape Verde, a debutant in the competition. The small island nation has made it to the tournament against the odds.
This match is highly anticipated, potentially becoming a showcase for a dominant performance. Spain delivered a stunning 7-0 victory over Costa Rica in their last World Cup opener, setting a high expectation for this encounter.
France v Senegal
France and Senegal have met only once prior, in a remarkable match where France began their title defense in 2002 with a shocking 1-0 loss. This unexpected outcome initiated a series of disappointments for the French squad.
Given their dominance in that match, France will likely seek revenge in their Group I opener this time. The narrative surrounding this match is impossible to ignore, adding to the intrigue.
Iraq v Norway
Iraq returns to the World Cup for the first time since 1986, when they exited without winning a single match. They aim to leave a better impression as they kick off their 2026 campaign in Boston.
However, Norway presents a formidable challenge. They topped the European qualifiers with a remarkable 37 goals, led by stars like Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard. Norway could be considered dark horses for the title and may seek to make a statement in their opening match.
Ecuador also performed excellently in qualifying, finishing second to Argentina with just two losses and only five goals conceded. Their strong defense might position them as this year’s surprise package.
They could find themselves attacking against Curaçao, the smallest nation to qualify for the World Cup. Curaçao will have faced Germany prior to this match, potentially needing a result. Regardless of the outcome, they have the potential to become a heartwarming story of the tournament.
Scotland v Brazil
Scotland marks their return to the World Cup after a long absence, and fans are eager to support their team in North America. The match against Brazil has been circled on calendars since the draw was announced, as it mirrors the opening game from Scotland’s last World Cup appearance in 1998.
Since then, Scotland has participated in several major tournaments, including Euro 2024, where they faced a harsh 5-1 defeat against Germany. Lessons from that experience should aid them this time around, as they strive to advance beyond the group stage for the first time in 12 attempts. Will this be the moment they succeed?
DR Congo v Uzbekistan
This matchup may not boast a rich World Cup history. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has appeared in the tournament once, back in 1974, while Uzbekistan has never qualified.
Neither team is expected to challenge for the top two spots in Group K, likely dominated by Portugal and Colombia. However, their chances of advancing as one of the best third-placed teams may hinge on this game, creating a scenario where both teams might need to take risks.
Jordan v Argentina
Jordan is among the weaker teams in the tournament, facing off against reigning champions Argentina, which could lead to a record-breaking victory margin.
However, Argentina’s recent history includes a surprising 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia despite dominating possession and expected goals. The holders have also had difficulty progressing past the group stage in four of the last six tournaments. While the new format should reduce the risk of elimination, the pressure of expectations can lead to unexpected outcomes.
This is an article by Opta Analyst
