The group stage draw has already thrown up plenty of mouthwatering clashes. Below, we've compiled together our list of top matches that should not be missed.
Most anticipated matches during the World Cup group stages
Group A
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Mexico vs South Africa
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Date / Time: 11/06/25, 15:00 ET / 20:00 UK/BST / 19:00 UTC/GMT / 14:00 Local
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Venue: Estadio Azteca, Mexico City (CDT)
The opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is always a landmark event, and that is no different this time around. The match will see Mexico take on South Korea at the Estadio Azteca, in what is a repeat of the opening match of the 2010 tournament. Will we get another Tshabalala moment in Mexico City?
Group B
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Canada vs TBC
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Date / Time: 12/06/25, 15:00 ET / 20:00 UK/BST / 19:00 UTC/GMT / 15:00 Local
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Venue: BMO Field, Toronto (EDT)
Canada will take on the winners of the upcoming European playoffs on Saturday, 12 June, in what will be the first World Cup match ever played in Canada. The atmosphere at BMO Field in Toronto should be electric, and the co-hosts will be desperate to get off to the best possible start.
Group C
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Brazil vs Morocco
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Date / Time: 13/06/25, 18:00 ET / 23:00 UK/BST / 22:00 UTC/GMT / 18:00 Local
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Venue: MetLife Stadium, New Jersey (EDT)
Brazil vs Morocco is one of the few group stage matches between two nations with a legitimate chance of winning the tournament. Some people may raise eyebrows at Morocco being labelled in this bracket, but they reached the semi-finals in 2022, and they are comfortably the best African team at the tournament.
Beyond that, it always feels like a landmark moment when Brazil take to the field for the first time at any World Cup. Can the five-time winners make it six this summer?
Group D
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USA vs Paraguay
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Date / Time: 13/06/25, 21:00 ET / 02:00 UK/BST / 01:00 UTC/GMT / 18:00 Local
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Venue: SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles (PDT)
The USA will be the final of three hosts to kick off their World Cup campaign this summer when they take on Paraguay at SoFi Stadium. The USA have been planning for this tournament for many years now, and with Mauricio Pochettino in charge, expectations are arguably higher than ever among the general public. Can they deliver at the first time of asking?
Group G
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Belgium vs Egypt
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Date / Time: 15/06/25, 15:00 ET / 20:00 UK/BST / 19:00 UTC/GMT / 12:00 Local
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Venue: Lumen Field, Seattle (PDT)
Belgium will take on Egypt in Seattle on 15 June in a battle between the two best teams in Group G. The tournament feels more significant than usual for both nations.
Two legends of the sport, Mo Salah and Kevin de Bruyne, are almost certainly going to be competing in their final ever edition of the World Cup, so fans should savour every moment they are on the pitch this summer.
Group H
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Uruguay vs Spain
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Date / Time: 27/06/25, 20:00 ET / 01:00 UK/BST / 00:00 UTC/GMT / 19:00 Local)
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Venue: Akron Stadium, Guadalajara (CDT)
Uruguay vs Spain is another blockbuster group stage match at this summer's World Cup. Perhaps crucially, this match is scheduled to be part of the final round of group stage fixtures, which means it could be an elimination match for either/both teams. Even if it isn't, finishing as group winners rather than runners-up can often result in an easier path to the final.
Group I
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Norway vs France
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Date / Time: 26/06/25, 15:00 ET / 20:00 UK/BST / 19:00 UTC/GMT / 15:00 Local
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Venue: Gillette Stadium, Boston (EDT)
Norway are being tipped to be the tournament's dark horses by many, and it's easy to see why. Erling Haaland is as close to a guarantee of goals that you are going to get in modern football, while Martin Odegaard isn't exactly a bad player to play off him.
The biggest test of their credentials during the group stages will come in the match against France on 26 June. Can the 2018 champions put Norway in their place?
Group J
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Argentina vs Algeria
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Date / Time: 17/06/25, 21:00 ET / 02:00 UK/BST / 01:00 UTC/GMT / 20:00 Local
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Venue: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City (CDT)
Lionel Messi's first outing at this summer's World Cup will be against Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium. All tickets for matches featuring Argentina at the tournament are like gold dust for a reason, as nobody wants to miss a second of what will almost certainly be the GOAT's final-ever World Cup.
Group K
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Portugal vs Colombia
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Date / Time: 27/06/25, 13:00 ET / 18:00 UK/BST / 17:00 UTC/GMT / 13:00 Local
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Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami (EDT)
For similar reasons to the above, Portugal's first game at the World Cup is one that should not be missed. Cristiano Ronaldo will also be competing at his final-ever World Cup this summer, and despite what he has said publicly, he is desperate to win it. Can CR7 sign off in style?
Group L
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England vs Croatia
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Date / Time: (17/06/25, 16:00 ET / 21:00 UK/BST / 20:00 UTC/GMT / 15:00 Local)
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Venue: AT&T Stadium, Arlington (CDT)
England's first match at the World Cup will be against the second-highest-ranked team in Group L, Croatia. These two nations have a long history when it comes to football, with Croatia often being the thorn in England's side, most recently in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, when they knocked England out in Extra Time.