On Friday we get the final salvo of World Cup action from Groups I, H, and G, with Norway and France battling for group leadership. Uruguay needs a result against Spain to advance to the knockout stage, while Belgium’s World Cup hopes are dimmed after consecutive draws leave them with a live game against New Zealand. We predict and preview every 2026 World Cup match.
Norway vs France (Friday, June 26th in Boston)
Both teams have shown offensive firepower, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe have designs on the golden boot this tournament. France moved through the gears against Iraq on matchday 2, while Norway’s 3-2 scoreline over Senegal secured their place in the knockout phase.
Now, a win or a draw sees France top the group, Norway would need to win, but with second place already secured, they don’t have to worry about playing open and trying to build a lead. Ultimately, Norway can likely match France in the forward line, but France will dictate in the midfield and are more likely to keep goals out in the backline. Norway still conceded two against Senegal, and France should show a slightly higher level here. France manager Didier Deschamps will miss this game due to the death of his mother.
Prediction: France 4-2
Senegal vs Iraq (Friday June 26th in Toronto)
Senegal have been criticized for relying on a set of older players in the XI, those older players conceded far too easily against strong France and Norway sides, and now Senegal needs a win, and a win by some margin, to hope to advance as a third-place team on three points. Despite a strong AFCON tournament, Senegal’s players have not responded to adversity this World Cup. One twitter user said “Bara N’diaye, Iliman N’diaye & Ibrahim Mbaye are literally right there” The question remains will Senegal take a risk and make XI changes in a must win contest.
Iraq have the defensive solidity of a well drilled AFC side, but the talent gap with their first two opponents was stark. Having conceded seven goals, and only scoring one of their own, the odds of a point in this World Cup look grim.
Senegal’s team camp is in chaos but you wouldn’t expect Iraq to capitalize, as Sadio Mane may say farewell to the FIFA World Cup with a brace.
Prediction: Senegal 4-0
Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia (Friday June 26th in Houston)
What more can you say about Cape Verde, having scored twice and played incredible defence this tournament, they managed two draws against former World Cup champions Spain and Uruguay. That 0-2-0 record means a win would put them into the knockout phase, while a draw would at least make it possible on a goal difference of 0.
While Cape Verde have played defensive football for the ages, Saudi Arabia have struggled with consistency, as many expected they would this tournament. They held a jetlagged Uruguay to a draw, that one point means a win would put them into the knockout phase, but against Spain they were never in the game once Lamine Yamal broke them down early.
This feels like Cape Verde’s moment, and against Saudi Arabia they can afford to go forward and play a bit more freely, trusting Vozinha in goal.
Prediction: Cape Verde 2-1
Uruguay vs Spain (Friday June 26th in Guadalajara)
Uruguay’s fate hates in the balance this World Cup tournament, as underdogs against Spain, they need a result to at least get to three points and a goal difference of 0. They came out flat on matchday 1 against Saudi Arabia, then they were given all they could handle by a quality Cape Verde side. Marcelo Bielsa hasn’t been able to play free flowing football with this team, and two preferred XI starters, Ronald Araujo from Barcelona, and Flamengo’s Giorgian De Arrascaeta are out of this game.
Uruguay lack a quality striker, though Agustin Canobbio and Maxi Araujo have stepped in as the attacking threats. Araujo’s efforts have saved Uruguay’s tournament for now, but they are against a Spain side that is better in most positions. 40-year-old Fernando Muslera has been subpar in goal as well.
Spain’s been a tale of two teams so far, against Saudi Arabia they showcased a brilliant attack, Lamine Yamal on the scoresheet and contributing to his teams goalscoring rout. On matchday 1 against Cape Verde, in the same stadium, but without Yamal, they lacked creativity and attacking width.
Spain had a great first half against Saudi Arabia, and given they only sit on four points in Group H, they should remain motivated to go out and win the group. Uruguay won’t concede easily, but I don’t see them matching Spain blow for blow. Mikel Oyarzabal is a striker that Uruguay wishes it had.
Prediction: Spain 3-1
New Zealand vs Belgium (Friday June 26th in Vancouver)
It’s been a terrible tournament for Belgium, other than a brief moment of joy for Romelo Lukaku to salvage a draw against Egypt, they haven’t scored. Rudi Garcia’s tactics haven’t worked at all, Kevin De Bruyne is out of form, Lukaku continues his habit of wasting chances in front of goal, and Jeremy Doku hasn’t been able to be a factor for his country. Against Iran, they were forced to play with 10 men for a period of time, Thibaut Courtois remains brave in goal. Nathan Ngoy will be suspended for this game.
Belgium did not look obviously limited offensively coming into the tournament, but they have gone cold at the worst moment. Their two draws were not dominant displays, but rather a team holding onto the World Cup knockout phase by bare margins.
New Zealand must win, after they conceded too heavily against Egypt to advance on anything but a historic upset win. There’s talent here with Chris Wood and Elijah Just, but the medicine that Belgium needs right now is facing a team that offers space in the back, and that’s New Zealand’s weakness. Belgium should survive what should have been an easy group, but any result in the knockout stage would be a surprise.
Prediction: Belgium 3-1
Egypt vs Iran (Friday June 26th in Seattle)
Egypt’s attacking quality, and the fact they are on four points and can top this group should give them confidence to go forward. Iran can be tepid at times, but have managed a pair of draws to remain alive for the knockout stage.
These sides feel evenly matched but when you have Mo Salah and Omar Marmoush, you can take the ball on with confidence, and that’s what Egypt should do.
Prediction: Egypt 2-1
Main Photo Credit: Smartframe Images
