The big names are delivering at the 2026 World Cup. Lionel Messi began his campaign with a hat-trick against Algeria while Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé bagged braces in their respective openers.
Argentina and France are among the frontrunners to go the distance, such are the talent levels of their squads, with Norway possibly the most dangerous of all the supposed dark horses.
Meanwhile, Algeria and Jordan can both kickstart their campaigns after losing their opening fixtures. A defeat for either side could eliminate them from contention for a place in the last 32.
Here is your complete guide on how to watch today’s World Cup games, including kick-off times, broadcast networks and online streaming options.
Argentina v Austria
Time (ET): 1pm
Stadium: Dallas Stadium
How to watch
United States: Fox / Telemundo (Stream on Fubo)
Canada: TSN (Stream)
United Kingdom: BBC One (Stream)
Australia: SBS (Stream)
What to watch for
Argentina started their World Cup defence with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Algeria that made clear how difficult it will be for anyone to dethrone the 2022 champions. With Messi already in such sparkling form, La Albiceleste don’t need to control matches for 90 minutes to get the better of opponents.
Ralf Rangnick’s Austria are one of the most compelling teams at this World Cup and their 3-1 opening-match win over Jordan made that clear. Playing the sort of high-energy, Red Bull soccer pioneered over the years by their manager could take Austria far.
Player to watch: Lionel Messi, Argentina – You may have heard of him before. Even at age 38, Messi remains the player around whom Argentina revolves and their primary difference-maker in and around the penalty area.
What to read
Argentina team guide
Austria team guide
What happened on a historic night for Argentina? ‘Messi things’
Marko Arnautovic adds gloss to scoreline as Austria see off debutants Jordan
France v Iraq
Time (ET): 5pm
Stadium: Philadelphia Stadium
How to watch
United States: Fox / Telemundo (Stream on Fubo)
Canada: TSN (Stream)
United Kingdom: BBC One (Stream)
Australia: SBS (Stream)
What to watch for
While France struggled to get going in their opening match against Senegal, the way they finished underlined why they must be taken seriously as World Cup contenders. Didier Deschamps has more attacking options than any other manager at this tournament. If he can balance out the rest of the team, France could be unstoppable.
The omens for Iraq heading into their second match of this World Cup aren’t great. Graham Arnold admitted the Lions of Mesopotamia are up against “players of a different species” in Group I and Monday’s meeting with France could be just as challenging as the 4-1 loss to Norway.
Player to watch: Michael Olise, France – Mbappé may be France’s sharpest attacking threat, but Olise is their best creator on the ball. His invention could be key to breaking down the low block Iraq will inevitably try to implement.
What to read
France team guide
Iraq team guide
Kylian Mbappé hungry for Golden Boot battle with Messi as he sings Les Bleus
Graham Arnold: ‘We’re capable of doing something that will shock the world’
Norway v Senegal
Time (ET): 8pm
Stadium: New York New Jersey Stadium
How to watch
United States: Fox / Telemundo (Stream on Fubo)
Canada: TSN (Stream)
United Kingdom: ITV1 (Stream)
Australia: SBS (Stream)
What to watch for
Norway justified all those who tipped them as dark horses before the start of the tournament by thumping Iraq 4-1 in their opening fixture. Can Haaland and Co impose themselves in the same way against a higher-caliber opponent or will their weaknesses in defence be exposed?
Senegal have more than they showed in the 3-1 defeat to France. Their forward line of Nicolas Jackson, Sadio Mané and Ismaïla Sarr, not to mention Iliman Ndiaye, could test Norway in quick transition. The Lions of Teranga need a positive result to boost their chances of making the last 32.
Player to watch: Erling Haaland, Norway – It’s impossible not to highlight Haaland as the player who could determine the outcome of this match and any Norway plays. The Manchester City striker is a force of nature in and around the penalty area.
What to read
Norway team guide
Senegal team guide
Norway’s Erling Haaland punishes Iraq with double on World Cup debut
‘We are knocking on the door’: Africa’s 10 contenders target World Cup glory
Jordan v Algeria
Time (ET): 11pm
Stadium: San Francisco Bay Area Stadium
How to watch
United States: FS1 / Telemundo (Stream on Fubo)
Canada: TSN (Stream)
United Kingdom: ITV1 (Stream)
Australia: SBS (Stream)
What to watch for
This is a must-win match for both Jordan and Algeria who could face early elimination from the World Cup if results go against them. Jordan matched Austria for efforts on target in their opener, hinting that with sharper finishing instincts they could still make their mark at this tournament.
Riyad Mahrez will surely be picked to play from the start against Jordan after playing just 26 minutes off the bench in the loss to Argentina. Vladimir Petkovic will expect to see much more from his team in an attacking sense with Algeria’s hopes of making the knockout rounds on the line.
Player to watch: Riyad Mahrez, Algeria – The former Manchester City playmaker is expected to start and could be the key to Algeria unlocking the Jordan defence. The Desert Warriors need his creativity and goal threat to change the complexion of their World Cup.
What to read
Jordan team guide
Algeria team guide
Jordan and Uzbekistan ready to crash World Cup party and take on giants
How Algeria won over a Kansas town – and became the World Cup’s unlikeliest love affair
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