Day six of the 2026 World Cup brings the simultaneous launch of two new groups and continues a trend that has already become the tournament's defining motif: draws. Spain–Cape Verde 0:0, Belgium–Egypt 1:1, Saudi Arabia–Uruguay 1:1, Iran–New Zealand 2:2 — four of the last five matches ended level. This is no coincidence; it is a signal. In the expanded 48-team format the overall level has evened out, and there are almost no "comfortable" opponents left. Tonight, by Kyiv time, Groups I and J kick off — and both openers promise far more clarity.
Group I: France with no room for luxury
Group I — France, Senegal, Norway, Iraq — opens today with two matches. At 22:00 Kyiv time France face Senegal at MetLife Stadium, and at 01:00 (already 17 June) Iraq take on Norway in Boston. The group starts with blank tables, so every result immediately establishes a hierarchy.
Norway make their World Cup debut with Erling Haaland in the squad — the most prolific player on the planet finally steps onto the main stage. The third matchday, on 27 June, will pit Norway against France in what could be the group's decisive clash. But everything depends on how both teams come through the first round: a defeat in the opening match immediately puts the entire subsequent schedule under pressure.
Group J: Argentina open in the early hours
Group J — Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan — also plays its first round today. Argentina face Algeria at 04:00 Kyiv time (already 17 June) in Kansas City, while Austria take on Jordan at 07:00. The reigning world champions take to the field for the first time in this tournament. Algeria are opponents not to be underestimated: African qualification traditionally toughens teams tactically. Austria, who came through European qualifying with confidence, are eyeing the role of the group's dark horse.
Scenarios
- France beat Senegal — Les Bleus immediately top Group I with 3 points, Norway get the chance to catch up in the second round. Senegal find themselves under pressure from the very first match.
- France–Senegal draw — Group I mirrors the scenario of Groups G and H: all four teams remain in contention after the first round, and matchday three becomes a full-blown final. Norway, with a win over Iraq, would immediately move to the top.
- Argentina beat Algeria — the reigning champions confirm their status as Group J favourites and build a comfortable cushion ahead of their match against Austria on 22 June. A defeat for Argentina, on the other hand, would be the tournament's biggest shock after Spain–Cape Verde 0:0.
The race for the eight best third-place finishers
After the first rounds in several groups, a trend is already emerging that will determine the tournament fate of many nations: the ranking of the eight best third-place finishers. Spain (0 points after a 0:0 draw with Cape Verde), Belgium (1 point after 1:1 with Egypt) and Saudi Arabia (1 point after 1:1 with Uruguay) are already being forced to think about goal difference — because when points are level, it is the first tiebreaker in the third-place ranking. Sweden (5:1 over Tunisia) currently set the benchmark for that ranking.
What to watch tonight and tomorrow
The night's main intrigue: can Norway with Haaland surprise in their very first match against Iraq, and how will Argentina look without extended preparation against a specific opponent? Tomorrow, 17 June, Groups K (Portugal–DR Congo) and L (England–Croatia) kick off — two more quartets packed with big names and open questions.
