After an action-packed first spherical of World Cup 2026 group matches, it’s time for the subsequent part of the group stage to kick off.
Listed below are the highest 5 “must-watch” matches within the second spherical of fixtures from June 18 till June 23:
Advisable Tales
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⚽️ Mexico vs South Korea
Guadalajara Stadium – Thursday, 7pm (01:00 GMT, Friday)
This Group A conflict in Guadalajara guarantees to ship an environment like no different. After the primary spherical of video games, social media was stuffed with clips of Mexicans and South Koreans celebrating their respective victories collectively, as they shared hugs, danced alongside to Gangnam Fashion, and marked the second with sips of tequila.
As soon as once more, chants of “¡Coreano, hermano, ya eres mexicano!” (Spanish for “Korean, brother, you might be Mexican now!”) rang across the streets of the cohost nation, which has shared a friendship with South Korea because the 2018 World Cup, after the Asian giants beat Germany within the group stage, serving to Mexico advance within the match.
Come Thursday, the chums can be pitted towards one another, with each preventing to safe the highest spot in Group A after profitable their respective opening video games.
Netherlands vs Sweden
Houston Stadium – Saturday June 20, midday (17:00 GMT)
The following fixture takes us to america, the place two huge North European nations conflict, and curiously, it’s the three-time runners-up – the Dutch – who’re in determined want of a bounce-back efficiency.
After being held to a 2-2 draw with Japan, the Netherlands have slipped to 3rd in Group F, whereas Sweden sit on high following a 5-1 thrashing of Tunisia.
Again on the World Cup after pulling off considerably of a “nice escape” beneath Graham Potter, the Swedes have been enjoyable to observe, due to the dynamic strike partnership of Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres, which has proved too scorching to deal with to this point.
The Dutch defence, which was shoddy towards Japan, can be additional put to the check, as Ronald Koeman’s ways can be beneath the highlight once more.
Germany vs Ivory Coast
Toronto Stadium – Saturday June 20, 4pm (20:00 GMT)
Germany confirmed no mercy of their 7-1 drubbing of minnows Curacao on the tiny Caribbean island’s match debut, as six totally different scorers acquired on the scoresheet.
The emphatic victory made German followers dream once more, however their second recreation towards a youthful Ivory Coast facet – headlined by stars Amad Diallo and Yan Diomande – can be removed from the cakewalk they loved of their World Cup opener.
This recreation in Toronto can be a conflict between Group E’s high two: Germany, the pack’s leaders, and the Ivory Coast, second. Each have three factors every, however Germany has a greater objective distinction.
Spain vs Saudi Arabia
Atlanta Stadium – Sunday June 21, midday (16:00 GMT)
After being held to a shock goalless draw by debutants Cape Verde, the strain is firmly on Spain to rediscover their profitable type. The reigning European champions had been frontrunners for the 2026 World Cup trophy, however a stuttering begin has raised doubts about whether or not Lamine Yamal and his workforce can go all the best way.
Apparently, all 4 groups on this Group H drew their video games, leaving the part vast open, with Spain in third spot, under second-placed Saudi Arabia.
The Saudis, who famously beat eventual winners Argentina 2-1 of their 2022 match opener, have made a powerful begin in North America, holding Uruguay to a 1-1 draw within the opening recreation.
Spanish followers will hope this disappointing begin is only a replay of their 2010 World Cup struggles, once they misplaced their opening recreation earlier than happening to raise their maiden world title.
Norway vs Senegal
New York New Jersey Stadium – Monday June 22, 8pm (00:00 GMT, subsequent day)
Our record rounds out with a fixture between Group I’s leaders, Norway, headlined by Manchester Metropolis star ahead Erling Haaland, and third-placed Senegal, who’re nonetheless looking for their first factors.
Haaland marked his World Cup debut with a brace because the Norwegians received 4-1 against Iraq of their first match look in 28 years. In the meantime, Senegal couldn’t get the higher of giants France, falling 3-1, leaving the African giants determined for a comeback towards Norway.
As informed by their coach, Pape Thiaw, Senegal will hope to develop into much less passive in defence and enhance effectivity of their assault, once they’re up towards Haaland, the highest scorer within the UEFA qualifying with 16 targets – greater than double the tally of his nearest challengers.
What are the teams and groups for World Cup 2026?
⚽ Group A: Mexico, South Africa, Korea Republic (South Korea), Czechia (Czech Republic)
⚽ Group B: Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland
⚽ Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
⚽ Group D: United States, Paraguay, Australia, Turkiye
⚽ Group E: Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
⚽ Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia
⚽ Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
⚽ Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
⚽ Group I: France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway
⚽ Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
⚽ Group Ok: Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia
⚽ Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
World Cup 2026: Remaining group-stage full schedule
Thursday, June 18
Czechia vs South Africa at 12pm ET (16:00 GMT) – Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, US
Switzerland vs Bosnia at 12pm PT (19:00 GMT) – Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles, US
Canada vs Qatar at 3pm PT (22:00 GMT) – BC Place, Vancouver, Canada
Mexico vs South Korea at 7pm CST (01:00 GMT on Friday) – Estadio Guadalajara, Zapopan, Mexico
Friday, June 19
Scotland vs Morocco at 6pm ET (22:00 GMT) – Boston Stadium, Boston, US
USA vs Australia at 12pm PT (19:00 GMT) – Seattle Stadium, Seattle, US
Brazil vs Haiti at 8:30pm ET (00:30 GMT on Saturday) – Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia, US
Turkiye vs Paraguay at 9pm PT (03:00 GMT on Saturday) – San Francisco Bay Space Stadium, San Francisco, US
Saturday, June 20
Netherlands vs Sweden at 12pm CDT (17:00 GMT) – Houston Stadium, Houston, US
Germany vs Ivory Coast at 4pm ET (20:00 GMT) – Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada
Ecuador vs Curacao at 7pm CDT (03:00 GMT on Sunday) – Kansas Metropolis Stadium, Kansas Metropolis, US
Tunisia vs Japan at 10pm CST (04:00 GMT on Sunday) – Estadio Monterrey, Guadalupe, Mexico
Sunday, June 21
Spain vs Saudi Arabia at 12pm ET (16:00 GMT) – Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, US
Belgium vs Iran at 12pm PT (19:00 GMT) – Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles, US
Uruguay vs Cape Verde at 6pm ET (22:00 GMT) – Miami Stadium, Miami, US
New Zealand vs Egypt at 6pm PT (01:00 GMT on Monday) – BC Place, Vancouver, Canada
Monday, June 22
Argentina vs Austria at 12pm CDT (17:00 GMT) – Dallas Stadium, Dallas, US
France vs Iraq at 5pm ET (21:00 GMT) – Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia, US
Norway vs Senegal at 8pm ET (00:00 GMT on Tuesday) – New York New Jersey Stadium, New Jersey, US
Jordan vs Algeria at 8pm PT (03:00 GMT on Tuesday) – San Francisco Bay Space Stadium, San Francisco, US
Tuesday, June 23
Portugal vs Uzbekistan at 12pm CDT (17:00 GMT) – Houston Stadium, Houston, US
England vs Ghana at 4pm ET (20:00 GMT) – Boston Stadium, Boston, US
Panama vs Croatia at 7pm ET (23:00 GMT) – Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada
Colombia vs DRC at 8pm CST (02:00 GMT on Wednesday) – Estadio Guadalajara, Zapopan, Mexico
Wednesday, June 24
Switzerland vs Canada at 12pm PT (19:00 GMT) – BC Place, Vancouver, Canada
Bosnia vs Qatar at 12pm PT (19:00 GMT) – Seattle Stadium, Seattle, US
Scotland vs Brazil at 6pm ET (22:00 GMT) – Miami Stadium, Miami, US
Morocco vs Haiti at 6pm ET (22:00 GMT) – Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, US
Czechia vs Mexico at 7pm CST (01:00 GMT on Thursday) – Mexico Metropolis Stadium, Mexico Metropolis, Mexico
South Africa vs South Korea at 7pm CST (01:00 GMT on Thursday) – Estadio Monterrey, Guadalupe, Mexico
Thursday, June 25
Ecuador vs Germany at 4pm ET (20:00 GMT) – New York New Jersey Stadium, New Jersey, US
Curacao vs Ivory Coast at 4pm ET (20:00 GMT) – Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia, US
Japan vs Sweden at 6pm CDT (23:00 GMT) – Dallas Stadium, Dallas, US
Tunisia vs Netherlands at 6pm CDT (23:00 GMT) – Kansas Metropolis Stadium, Kansas Metropolis, US,
Turkiye vs USA at 7pm PT (02:00 GMT on Friday) – Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles, US
Paraguay vs Australia at 7pm PT (02:00 GMT on Friday) – San Francisco Bay Space Stadium, San Francisco, US
Friday, June 26
Norway vs France at 3pm ET (19:00 GMT) – Boston Stadium, Boston, US
Senegal vs Iraq at 3pm ET (19:00 GMT) – Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada
Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia at 7pm CDT (00:00 GMT on Saturday) – Houston Stadium, Houston, US
Uruguay vs Spain at 6pm CST (00:00 GMT on Saturday) – Estadio Guadalajara, Zapopan, Mexico
Egypt vs Iran at 8pm PT (03:00 GMT on Saturday) – Seattle Stadium, Seattle, US
New Zealand vs Belgium at 8pm PT (03:00 GMT on Saturday) – BC Place, Vancouver, Canada
Saturday, June 27
Panama vs England at 5pm ET (21:00 GMT) – New York New Jersey Stadium, New Jersey, US
Croatia vs Ghana at 5pm ET (21:00 GMT) – Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia, US
Colombia vs Portugal at 7:30pm ET (23:30 GMT) – Miami Stadium, Miami, US
DRC vs Uzbekistan at 7:30pm ET (23:30 GMT) – Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, US
Algeria vs Austria at 9pm CDT (02:00 GMT on Sunday) – Kansas Metropolis Stadium, Kansas Metropolis, US
Jordan vs Argentina at 9pm CDT (02:00 GMT on Sunday) – Dallas Stadium, Dallas, US
