Friday’s World Cup fixtures
The race for the World Cup knockout stage intensifies on Friday with the final Group G, H, and I matches. Qualification, first place, and several Round of 32 spots are still to be decided across six games.
- Norway vs France at Boston Stadium, United States, at 3pm EDT (19:00 GMT)
- Senegal vs Iraq at Toronto Stadium, Canada, at 3pm EDT (19:00 GMT)
- Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia at Houston Stadium, United States, at 7pm CDT (00:00 GMT on Saturday)
- Uruguay vs Spain at Estadio Guadalajara, Mexico, at 6pm CST (00:00 GMT on Saturday)
- Egypt vs Iran at Seattle Stadium, United States, at 8pm PDT (03:00 GMT on Saturday)
- New Zealand vs Belgium at BC Place, Vancouver, Canada, at 8pm PDT (03:00 GMT on Saturday)
France and Norway will compete for the top spot in Group I, while Spain aims to secure first place in Group H. Egypt, Iran, Belgium, Cape Verde, and Saudi Arabia are all fighting to extend their tournament participation.
Key match previews and predictions
The match between Norway and France marks their 16th encounter, and their first since a France friendly victory in 2014. Norway has only won two of their previous competitive meetings against France, with their last win in a European Championship qualifier in 1987. They are also seeking their first World Cup win against European opposition, having drawn two and lost three of their previous five such matches. France has won their last five World Cup matches against European teams. Opta’s supercomputer gives France a 59.4 percent chance of victory, with a draw rated at 20.6 percent, which would be enough for France to finish top of Group I. Norway has a 20 percent chance of winning.
The game between Senegal and Iraq will be their first World Cup meeting. Senegal remains unbeaten against AFC opposition in the tournament, having drawn with Japan in 2018 and beaten Qatar in 2022. Iraq has not previously faced an African team at a World Cup. Opta’s supercomputer forecasts Senegal as the favourites, with a 77.2 percent chance of winning, compared to 8.6 percent for Iraq. A draw is rated at 14.2 percent. Senegal cannot top Group I but has a 72.2 percent chance of reaching the last 32, while Iraq’s chances of progressing are slim, at 1.1 percent.
Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia will also meet for the first time in a World Cup match. Saudi Arabia has lost only one of their five previous World Cup matches against African opposition, securing two wins and two draws. Opta’s supercomputer gives Cape Verde a slight advantage, with a 40.8 percent chance of victory, against Saudi Arabia’s 33.9 percent. The probability of a draw is 25.3 percent. Cape Verde has a 66.7 percent chance of advancing to the last 32, while Saudi Arabia’s chances stand at 33.3 percent.
Former tournament winners Uruguay and Spain will clash for the third time at the World Cup, but for the first time in over three decades. Their previous two World Cup meetings both ended in draws: a 2-2 result in the final round of the 1950 tournament and a goalless group-stage draw at Italia ’90. Opta’s supercomputer identifies Spain as the clear favourites, winning 62.4 percent of 25,000 pre-match simulations. Uruguay was victorious in 15.7 percent of simulations, with a draw occurring in 21.9 percent.
Egypt and Iran will meet for the first time at the World Cup. Their only prior encounter was at the 2000 LG Cup in Tehran, which ended 1-1 before Egypt won on penalties. Iran is unbeaten against African opposition at the World Cup, having beaten Morocco in 2018 and drawn with Angola in 2006 and Nigeria in 2014. Opta’s supercomputer gives Egypt a slight edge, with a 42.9 percent chance of victory. A draw is rated at 32.2 percent, and Iran has a 24.9 percent chance of winning.
The match between New Zealand and Belgium will be their first-ever meeting. New Zealand is unbeaten in their last two World Cup matches against European opposition, drawing with Slovakia and Italy at the 2010 tournament. Belgium could become the first European side since their own team in 1998 to draw all three group-stage matches at a World Cup. Opta’s supercomputer makes Belgium overwhelming favourites, giving them an 80.3 percent chance of victory. A draw is rated at 11.8 percent, while New Zealand prevails in just 7.9 percent of simulations.
Tournament status and other developments
As of Friday, June 26, six groups have completed play, with Groups G-L still determining the remaining Round of 32 places. Mexico is the only team with a perfect record. Teams that have already secured knockout places include Mexico, South Africa, Switzerland, Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Morocco, USA, Australia, Germany, Ivory Coast, Ecuador, Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, France, and Norway.
Group G sees Egypt leading, with Iran and Belgium following, and New Zealand in fourth. In Group H, Spain leads, while Uruguay and Cape Verde are tied. France and Norway have already qualified from Group I, but the top spot is still contested. Groups J, K, and L will conclude on Saturday. There are 13 places in the Round of 32 still available.
Away from the pitch, Turkiye achieved a 3-2 victory over the United States with a 98th-minute winner in a Group D finale. US coach Mauricio Pochettino made nine changes to his starting lineup, giving seven players their first World Cup starts. Auston Trusty scored an early goal for the US, but Turkiye responded quickly and took the lead into halftime. Seb Berhalter equalised in the second half, but Kaan Ayhan scored the winner for Turkiye.
Six African teams are aiming for knockout places. Morocco and South Africa have already advanced, as has the Ivory Coast. Egypt, Algeria, DR Congo, Ghana, and Cape Verde enter their final group matches with qualification still within their control.
A notable moment occurred before Colombia’s Group K match against DR Congo, where thousands of Colombian fans remained silent for a lone DR Congo supporter to sing his country’s anthem. Colombia went on to win the match 1-0, securing their place in the Round of 32.
Another unusual event saw Gianni Infantino reportedly appearing at two World Cup matches simultaneously.
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Source: aljazeera.com
Adam Rutherford is a Senior Football Correspondent at News-UK. He spent his early career filing match reports across the North West. He focuses on the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from Manchester Metropolitan University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Manchester, he coaches a youth team and watches grassroots football. “Every transfer window hides a dozen real stories.”
