The five best group games to watch at the World Cup

Sunday, 7 June 2026

Netherlands’ Tijjani Reijnders, left, celebrates after scoring against Spain in 2025.

ANALYSIS: The only thing the 2026 World Cup appears to lack is a drawcard game over the opening two days.

That’s not to say that co-hosts Mexico versus 2010 hosts South Africa, or fellow co-event holders Canada against Bosnia and Herzegovina may not be instant classics.

But once group play begins to introduce the big names, there’s some mouthwatering clashes that loom as must-watch material.

Here’s five games to lock into your viewing schedule.

Brazil vs Morocco, Group C opener, Sunday 14 June, 10am

Five-time title winners Brazil haven’t triumphed at a World Cup for 24 years, and their 2026 squad doesn’t possess many players of the superstar quality of the past. Maybe reduced expectations this time could help them.

Morocco were shock semifinalists four years ago. They won’t be taken lightly at this tournament - they ‘won’ the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title, off the field after losing the final to Senegal - and the likes of Achraf Hakimi, Sofyan Amrabat and Bilal El Khannouss make them more than capable of starting their campaign with a bang in New Jersey.

Netherlands vs Japan, Group F opener, Monday 15 June, 8am

The home of Johan Cruyff and Dennis Bergkamp have never won the World Cup, having been beaten finalists three times. They’ll field the Liverpool duo of Virgil van Dyk and Cody Gakpo, along with Spurs defender Mickey van de Ven.

But Japan will be formidable opponents, despite Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma having to miss the tournament due to a hamstring injury. They looked incredibly sharp in a 1-0 win over England at Wembley, adding Thomas Tuchel’s team to a list of conquests over the past four years which has included Spain, Brazil and Germany.

Chris Wood carries a lot of the All Whites’ goalscoring hopes.

NZ vs Iran, Group G opener, Tuesday 16 June, 1pm

Only the most optimistic All Whites fan will give them a chance of beating Belgium and Egypt. But victory over Iran could help propel them into the second round of a World Cup for the first time.

Chris Wood gets the chance to prove himself on international football’s biggest stage, after being a late substitute in all three games in 2010, and he has a talented cast of attacking players to back him up.

Iran have had a disrupted build-up due to the nation’s military conflict with the US. With eight qualifying places up for grabs to the best third-placed group sides, New Zealand’s hopes hang on a victory in Los Angeles.

France vs Senegal, Group I opener, Wednesday 17 June, 7am

France were a superb Emi Martinez save away from defending their title in 2022 and have all the attributes to go one better this year. They have a ridiculous wealth of attacking stars, headlined by Kylian Mbappe, along with Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola, Ryan Cherki and Desire Doue.

Senegal had their Africa Cup of Nations title removed by officials, but showed their quality on the pitch. A core of veterans - Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly, Idrissa Gueye and Sadio Mane - will be accompanied by talents such as Habib Diarra, Mamadou Sarr, Iliman Ndiaye, Nicolas Jackson and precocious teenager Ibrahim Mbaye.

France vs Norway, last round of Group I, Saturday 27 June, 7am

This should be a cracker as teams fight not only to qualify for the knockout round, but also for the best draw.

Norway are the third notable side in Group I, and if they, France and Senegal all beat Iraq as expected, all three should move through.