{"id":146012,"date":"2026-06-09T10:48:34","date_gmt":"2026-06-09T13:48:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/these-are-the-10-best-world-cup-group-stage-matches\/"},"modified":"2026-06-09T10:48:37","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T13:48:37","slug":"these-are-the-10-best-world-cup-group-stage-matches","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/en\/these-are-the-10-best-world-cup-group-stage-matches\/","title":{"rendered":"These are the 10 best World Cup group stage matches"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div data-editable=\"content\" itemprop=\"articleBody\" data-reorderable=\"content\">\n<div data-editable=\"aiSummary\" class=\"article__ai-summary-wrapper\">\n<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/ai-article-summary\/instances\/cmq6euys500043b6reihwvkyr@published\" class=\"ai-article-summary hidden\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-selector-brand=\"accent-ai\">\n    <button class=\"ai-article-summary__toggle\"><br \/>\n        <strong class=\"ai-article-summary__title\"><br \/>\n            <span class=\"ai-article-summary__stars-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\">\n    <path d=\"M16.7322 12.6297L14.7237 12.0545C13.8192 11.7989 12.9952 11.315 12.3307 10.6491C11.6662 9.98311 11.1834 9.15741 10.9284 8.25095L10.3544 6.23807C10.3255 6.16765 10.2764 6.10741 10.2133 6.06502C10.1502 6.02263 10.076 6 10 6C9.92403 6 9.84978 6.02263 9.78667 6.06502C9.72357 6.10741 9.67446 6.16765 9.6456 6.23807L9.07163 8.25095C8.81662 9.15741 8.33377 9.98311 7.66926 10.6491C7.00476 11.315 6.18084 11.7989 5.27634 12.0545L3.26781 12.6297C3.19069 12.6516 3.12281 12.6982 3.07448 12.7623C3.02615 12.8264 3 12.9045 3 12.9848C3 13.0652 3.02615 13.1433 3.07448 13.2074C3.12281 13.2715 3.19069 13.3181 3.26781 13.34L5.27634 13.9152C6.18084 14.1708 7.00476 14.6547 7.66926 15.3206C8.33377 15.9866 8.81662 16.8123 9.07163 17.7187L9.6456 19.7316C9.66749 19.8089 9.71393 19.8769 9.77789 19.9254C9.84185 19.9738 9.91983 20 10 20C10.0802 20 10.1581 19.9738 10.2221 19.9254C10.2861 19.8769 10.3325 19.8089 10.3544 19.7316L10.9284 17.7187C11.1834 16.8123 11.6662 15.9866 12.3307 15.3206C12.9952 14.6547 13.8192 14.1708 14.7237 13.9152L16.7322 13.34C16.8093 13.3181 16.8772 13.2715 16.9255 13.2074C16.9738 13.1433 17 13.0652 17 12.9848C17 12.9045 16.9738 12.8264 16.9255 12.7623C16.8772 12.6982 16.8093 12.6516 16.7322 12.6297Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n    <path d=\"M19.8852 5.84129L19.0244 5.59477C18.6368 5.48524 18.2837 5.27786 17.9989 4.99245C17.7141 4.70705 17.5072 4.35317 17.3979 3.96469L17.1519 3.10203C17.1395 3.07185 17.1185 3.04603 17.0914 3.02787C17.0644 3.0097 17.0326 3 17 3C16.9674 3 16.9356 3.0097 16.9086 3.02787C16.8815 3.04603 16.8605 3.07185 16.8481 3.10203L16.6021 3.96469C16.4928 4.35317 16.2859 4.70705 16.0011 4.99245C15.7163 5.27786 15.3632 5.48524 14.9756 5.59477L14.1148 5.84129C14.0817 5.85069 14.0526 5.87064 14.0319 5.89811C14.0112 5.92558 14 5.95907 14 5.9935C14 6.02794 14.0112 6.06143 14.0319 6.0889C14.0526 6.11637 14.0817 6.13632 14.1148 6.14572L14.9756 6.39224C15.3632 6.50176 15.7163 6.70915 16.0011 6.99455C16.2859 7.27996 16.4928 7.63383 16.6021 8.02231L16.8481 8.88498C16.8575 8.9181 16.8774 8.94725 16.9048 8.96801C16.9322 8.98877 16.9656 9 17 9C17.0344 9 17.0678 8.98877 17.0952 8.96801C17.1226 8.94725 17.1425 8.9181 17.1519 8.88498L17.3979 8.02231C17.5072 7.63383 17.7141 7.27996 17.9989 6.99455C18.2837 6.70915 18.6368 6.50176 19.0244 6.39224L19.8852 6.14572C19.9183 6.13632 19.9474 6.11637 19.9681 6.0889C19.9888 6.06143 20 6.02794 20 5.9935C20 5.95907 19.9888 5.92558 19.9681 5.89811C19.9474 5.87064 19.9183 5.85069 19.8852 5.84129Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<\/svg><br \/>\n<\/span><br \/>\n            <span>Summary<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/strong><br \/>\n            <span class=\"ai-article-summary__toggle-caret-up\" aria-label=\"Toggle Article Summary\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"icon-ui-caret-up\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M12.478 6.21a.637.637 0 00-.946 0L2.206 16.229c-.225.243-.28.633-.093.91.237.355.7.385.975.089l8.917-9.579 8.878 9.537c.225.243.589.301.847.101a.721.721 0 00.082-1.048L12.478 6.211z\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n<\/span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"ai-article-summary__toggle-caret-down\" aria-label=\"Toggle Article Summary\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"icon-ui-caret-down\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M12.478 17.218a.637.637 0 01-.946 0L2.206 7.2c-.225-.242-.28-.632-.093-.91a.613.613 0 01.975-.088l8.917 9.579 8.878-9.538c.225-.242.589-.3.847-.1.33.255.357.752.082 1.048l-9.334 10.027z\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n<\/span><br \/>\n    <\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"ai-article-summary__collapsible\">\n<ul class=\"ai-article-summary__items\" data-editable=\"settings\">\n<li class=\"ai-article-summary__item\">With 72 group stage matches across 17 days at the expanded 2026 World Cup, CNN Sports picks the 10 most compelling contests to watch.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ai-article-summary__item\">These include clashes like Brazil vs. Morocco, France vs. Senegal and Spain vs. Uruguay at venues across North America.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ai-article-summary__item\">Standout matchups feature stars like Erling Haaland making his World Cup debut for Norway and Lamine Yamal returning from injury for Spain.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\n            <span class=\"ai-article-summary__disclaimer-text\">AI-generated summary was reviewed by a CNN editor.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq5pzekn000x27p2a360b0jr@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2026\/06\/08\/sport\/world-cup-what-you-need-to-know\">2026 World Cup<\/a> is almost here in all its glory and that means non-stop action for fans to watch during a newly expanded tournament.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq5qkegu00213b6rxo1dl2ne@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            A record 48 teams will be playing a total of 104 matches across three countries for the most prized trophy in world <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/sport\/soccer\">soccer<\/a>. Of those 104 contests, 72 matches make up the group stages of the tournament \u2013 the most ever in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2026\/06\/08\/sport\/the-beautiful-game-june-8\">World Cup<\/a>.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq5pzj1b00013b6r0eia166x@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            With that many games across 17 days, it\u2019s hard to keep track of which ones you should watch. If you\u2019re like us at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/sport\">CNN Sports<\/a> (well, at least myself and my colleague Ben Church), you\u2019re likely to try to watch every single match at the tournament \u2013 even if the time zones are not friendly. Unfortunately, if you\u2019re not really a big soccer fan or you\u2019ve just gotten into \u201cThe Beautiful Game,\u201d that\u2019s probably not an option.\n    <\/p>\n<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/factbox\/instances\/cmq5qht40001y3b6rur0kjc59@published\" data-component-name=\"factbox\" data-article-gutter=\"true\" class=\"factbox-elevate vossi-factbox_elevate factbox__\">\n<h3 class=\"factbox-elevate__title vossi-factbox_elevate__title inline-placeholder\" data-editable=\"title\">\n    &#x26bd;&#xfe0f; sign up for THE beautiful game by cnn sports &#x26bd;&#xfe0f;<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<ul data-editable=\"items\" class=\"factbox__items factbox__items--ul\">\n<li data-editable=\"items.0.text\" class=\"factbox-elevate__item vossi-factbox_elevate__item inline-placeholder\">CNN Sports will give you behind-the-scenes reporting from the World Cup, expert analysis and point you towards the biggest storylines of the day. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/newsletters\/beautiful-game-newsletter-landing-page\">Click here to sign up for the newsletter<\/a> (it\u2019s free!).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq5pzj1b00023b6r3gukj9xp@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Have no fear, we\u2019re here to give you some suggestions on which matches are likely to be the best contests on the pitch, so you can tune in and catch the most interesting games of the group stage. Remember, these are the 10 best games of the group stage, not necessarily all the notable storylines (like Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo\u2019s first matches of the tournament).\n    <\/p>\n<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/image\/instances\/cmq6fcrlr00003b6rx78iyamy@published\" class=\"image-elevate vossi-image_elevate  image__hide-placeholder\" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-name=\"GettyImages-2279120458.jpg\" data-component-name=\"image\" data-observe-resizes=\"\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image--eq-extra-small=\"\" data-original-ratio=\"0.6665\" data-original-height=\"1333\" data-original-width=\"2000\" data-url=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2279120458.jpg?c=original\" data-editable=\"settings\">\n<div class=\"image__container\" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image--eq-extra-small=\"\">\n       <picture class=\"image__picture\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"679\" media=\"(max-width: 479px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2279120458.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_679,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"967\" media=\"(min-width: 480px) and (max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2279120458.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_967,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"1159\" media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2279120458.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_1159,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"1093\" media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2279120458.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_1093,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"1316\" media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2279120458.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_1316,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq5qacjb000i3b6rc96dcho1@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            <strong>When:<\/strong> Saturday, June 13 @ 6 p.m. ET\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq5qahkh000k3b6rr8ewzjia@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            <strong>Where:<\/strong> New York\/New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium), East Rutherford, New Jersey\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq5qao6x000m3b6r7evhtq88@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            <strong>Why: <\/strong>Five-time winner Brazil heads into the competition on somewhat of an up-and-down trajectory: The <em>Sele\u00e7\u00e3o <\/em>finished fifth in Conmebol qualifying and had played lackluster soccer. However, the team has looked much better recently, winning three in a row. It also features some of the game\u2019s biggest talents in Vin\u00edcius Jr., Raphinha and Endrick, along with star veterans like Neymar Jr. and Casemiro. Morocco, meanwhile, is the current African champion (<a href=\"https:\/\/cnn.com\/2026\/03\/17\/sport\/afcon-final-overturned-senegal-morocco\">controversially<\/a>) and is a very well-balanced team \u2013 featuring names like Brahim D\u00edaz, Achraf Hakimi and goalkeeper Yassine Bounou \u2013 that made the World Cup semis in 2022.\n    <\/p>\n<h2 class=\"subheader inline-placeholder subheader-elevate vossi-subheader_elevate vossi-subheader_elevate--size-h2\" data-editable=\"text\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/subheader\/instances\/cmq5qbkxi00003b6r5alfskiu@published\" data-component-name=\"subheader\" id=\"netherlands-vs-japan\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n        Netherlands vs. Japan (Group F)<br \/>\n<\/h2>\n<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/image\/instances\/cmq6fd5ei00023b6rvgnqgsho@published\" class=\"image-elevate vossi-image_elevate  image__hide-placeholder\" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-name=\"2026-06-08T234812Z_1829321221_UP1EM681U4ACH_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-WORLDCUP-JPN.JPG\" data-component-name=\"image\" data-observe-resizes=\"\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image--eq-extra-small=\"\" data-original-ratio=\"0.6665\" data-original-height=\"1333\" data-original-width=\"2000\" data-url=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/2026-06-08t234812z-1829321221-up1em681u4ach-rtrmadp-3-soccer-worldcup-jpn.JPG?c=original\" data-editable=\"settings\">\n<div class=\"image__container\" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image--eq-extra-small=\"\">\n       <picture class=\"image__picture\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"679\" media=\"(max-width: 479px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/2026-06-08t234812z-1829321221-up1em681u4ach-rtrmadp-3-soccer-worldcup-jpn.JPG?c=original&amp;q=w_679,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"967\" media=\"(min-width: 480px) and (max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/2026-06-08t234812z-1829321221-up1em681u4ach-rtrmadp-3-soccer-worldcup-jpn.JPG?c=original&amp;q=w_967,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"1159\" media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/2026-06-08t234812z-1829321221-up1em681u4ach-rtrmadp-3-soccer-worldcup-jpn.JPG?c=original&amp;q=w_1159,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"1093\" media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/2026-06-08t234812z-1829321221-up1em681u4ach-rtrmadp-3-soccer-worldcup-jpn.JPG?c=original&amp;q=w_1093,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"1316\" media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/2026-06-08t234812z-1829321221-up1em681u4ach-rtrmadp-3-soccer-worldcup-jpn.JPG?c=original&amp;q=w_1316,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/2026-06-08t234812z-1829321221-up1em681u4ach-rtrmadp-3-soccer-worldcup-jpn.JPG?c=original&amp;q=w_1093,c_fill\" alt=\"Japan's squad is very balanced and experienced on the international stage.\" class=\"image__dam-img image__dam-img--loading\" onload=\"this.classList.remove('image__dam-img--loading')\" onerror=\"imageLoadError(this)\" height=\"1333\" width=\"2000\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq5qbr2a00023b6r0ti4kqyz@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            <strong>When:<\/strong> Sunday, June 14 @ 4 p.m. ET\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq5qbs2i00043b6rcq402vbf@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            <strong>Where:<\/strong> Dallas Stadium (AT&amp;T Stadium), Arlington, Texas\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq5qbs2i00053b6r89f9yqos@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            <strong>Why:<\/strong> The Netherlands is one of those teams that fans always proclaim as a dark horse \u2013 and for good reason. The <em>Oranje<\/em> has a lot of talent in both attack and defense and has recently progressed deep into the knockout rounds in both the Euros (semifinalists in 2024) and World Cup (quarterfinalists in 2022). Meanwhile, Japan is the best team from Asia and comes into the tournament on a six-match win streak. The <em>Samurai Blue<\/em> topped their group \u2013 which featured powerhouses Spain and Germany \u2013 in the 2022 World Cup, so they will be afraid of no one in North America. This game will likely decide who is top of Group F.\n    <\/p>\n<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/image\/instances\/cmq6fdj3u00043b6rwr6myyfi@published\" class=\"image-elevate vossi-image_elevate  image__hide-placeholder\" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-name=\"GettyImages-2279965854.jpg\" data-component-name=\"image\" data-observe-resizes=\"\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image--eq-extra-small=\"\" data-original-ratio=\"0.6665\" data-original-height=\"1333\" data-original-width=\"2000\" data-url=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2279965854.jpg?c=original\" data-editable=\"settings\">\n<div class=\"image__container\" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image--eq-extra-small=\"\">\n       <picture class=\"image__picture\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"679\" media=\"(max-width: 479px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2279965854.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_679,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"967\" media=\"(min-width: 480px) and (max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2279965854.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_967,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"1159\" media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2279965854.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_1159,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"1093\" media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2279965854.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_1093,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"1316\" media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2279965854.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_1316,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2279965854.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_1093,c_fill\" alt=\"Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 and France will be difficult to beat in North America.\" class=\"image__dam-img image__dam-img--loading\" onload=\"this.classList.remove('image__dam-img--loading')\" onerror=\"imageLoadError(this)\" height=\"1333\" width=\"2000\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq5qc1cw00093b6rrv2cdbl1@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            <strong>When:<\/strong> Tuesday, June 16 @ 3 p.m. ET\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq5qc2hs000b3b6r1cjt8wc6@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            <strong>Where:<\/strong> New York\/New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium), East Rutherford, New Jersey\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq5qc2hs000c3b6rura2rh1i@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            <strong>Why:<\/strong> This battle of Francophone nations, in what is arguably this tournament\u2019s Group of Death, will be electric. France is one of the favorites heading into the tournament with the likes of Kylian Mbapp\u00e9, Ousmane Demb\u00e9l\u00e9, Michael Olise, D\u00e9sir\u00e9 Dou\u00e9 and Rayan Cherki in its squad. Senegal, meanwhile, was the 2025 AFCON champion before a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2026\/03\/18\/sport\/senegal-afcon-title-morocco-final\">bizarre sequence of events<\/a> stripped it of the title. The <em>Lions of Teranga <\/em>have a talented squad and will likely progress to the knockout stage, either as the runner-up or one of the best third-place teams.\n    <\/p>\n<h2 class=\"subheader inline-placeholder subheader-elevate vossi-subheader_elevate vossi-subheader_elevate--size-h2\" data-editable=\"text\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/subheader\/instances\/cmq5qc5u8000e3b6rbhmqcbmn@published\" data-component-name=\"subheader\" id=\"england-vs-croatia\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n        England vs. Croatia (Group L)<br \/>\n<\/h2>\n<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/image\/instances\/cmq6fdto400063b6rlphcuc6r@published\" class=\"image-elevate vossi-image_elevate  image__hide-placeholder\" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-name=\"2026-06-07T201803Z_717056664_UP1EM671KE257_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-FRIENDLY-CRO-SVN.JPG\" data-component-name=\"image\" data-observe-resizes=\"\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image--eq-extra-small=\"\" data-original-ratio=\"0.6665\" data-original-height=\"1333\" data-original-width=\"2000\" data-url=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/2026-06-07t201803z-717056664-up1em671ke257-rtrmadp-3-soccer-friendly-cro-svn.JPG?c=original\" data-editable=\"settings\">\n<div class=\"image__container\" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image--eq-extra-small=\"\">\n       <picture class=\"image__picture\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"679\" media=\"(max-width: 479px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/2026-06-07t201803z-717056664-up1em671ke257-rtrmadp-3-soccer-friendly-cro-svn.JPG?c=original&amp;q=w_679,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"967\" media=\"(min-width: 480px) and (max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/2026-06-07t201803z-717056664-up1em671ke257-rtrmadp-3-soccer-friendly-cro-svn.JPG?c=original&amp;q=w_967,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"1159\" media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/2026-06-07t201803z-717056664-up1em671ke257-rtrmadp-3-soccer-friendly-cro-svn.JPG?c=original&amp;q=w_1159,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"1093\" media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/2026-06-07t201803z-717056664-up1em671ke257-rtrmadp-3-soccer-friendly-cro-svn.JPG?c=original&amp;q=w_1093,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"1316\" media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/2026-06-07t201803z-717056664-up1em671ke257-rtrmadp-3-soccer-friendly-cro-svn.JPG?c=original&amp;q=w_1316,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/2026-06-07t201803z-717056664-up1em671ke257-rtrmadp-3-soccer-friendly-cro-svn.JPG?c=original&amp;q=w_1093,c_fill\" alt=\"Luka Modri\u0107 is likely making one last appearance at a World Cup this year.\" class=\"image__dam-img image__dam-img--loading\" onload=\"this.classList.remove('image__dam-img--loading')\" onerror=\"imageLoadError(this)\" height=\"1333\" width=\"2000\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq5qcbpx000g3b6rfqo18qqz@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            <strong>When: <\/strong>Wednesday, June 17 @ 4 p.m. ET\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq5qcd6q000i3b6r0ky2pryj@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            <strong>Where:<\/strong> Dallas Stadium (AT&amp;T Stadium), Arlington, Texas\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq5qcd6q000j3b6rja4ga9an@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            <strong>Why:<\/strong> A clash of European juggernauts. The <em>Three Lions<\/em> head into this tournament as the bookmakers\u2019 third-favorite and boast an incredible squad with players like Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice. There\u2019s a lot of expectation and hope in England to finally make the statement \u201cfootball\u2019s coming home\u201d a reality, so the pressure will be on manager Thomas Tuchel\u2019s men to make the nation proud. Croatia is a recent World Cup overperformer, finishing runner-up in Russia 2018 and making the semifinals in 2022. The <em>Vatreni<\/em> have a golden generation \u2013 made up of the likes of Luka Modri\u0107, Ivan Peri\u0161i\u0107 and Mateo Kova\u010di\u0107 \u2013 to thank for this and they have brought those veterans back for one last dance. Let\u2019s see if the vets have enough left in the tank to make another deep run.\n    <\/p>\n<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/image\/instances\/cmq6fe63h00083b6rwfkcix8x@published\" class=\"image-elevate vossi-image_elevate  image__hide-placeholder\" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-name=\"GettyImages-2280411177.jpg\" data-component-name=\"image\" data-observe-resizes=\"\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image--eq-extra-small=\"\" data-original-ratio=\"0.667\" data-original-height=\"1334\" data-original-width=\"2000\" data-url=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2280411177.jpg?c=original\" data-editable=\"settings\">\n<div class=\"image__container\" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image--eq-extra-small=\"\">\n       <picture class=\"image__picture\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"679\" media=\"(max-width: 479px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2280411177.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_679,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"967\" media=\"(min-width: 480px) and (max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2280411177.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_967,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"1159\" media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2280411177.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_1159,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"1093\" media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2280411177.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_1093,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"1316\" media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2280411177.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_1316,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2280411177.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_1093,c_fill\" alt=\"Erling Haaland is set to run riot and bring his goalscoring prowess to the World Cup.\" class=\"image__dam-img image__dam-img--loading\" onload=\"this.classList.remove('image__dam-img--loading')\" onerror=\"imageLoadError(this)\" height=\"1334\" width=\"2000\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq5qcnu3000n3b6r8tcxykyk@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            <strong>When: <\/strong>Monday, June 22 @ 8 p.m. ET\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq5qcotg000p3b6rwqhpe7ff@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            <strong>Where:<\/strong> New York\/New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium), East Rutherford, New Jersey\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq5qcotg000q3b6rf0asszzu@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            <strong>Why:<\/strong> Erling Haaland. As my colleague Ben previously alluded to in our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2026\/06\/06\/sport\/world-cup-players-to-watch\">Players to Watch piece<\/a>, all eyes will be on the 6-foot-5 goalscoring machine in his first ever World Cup. Norway breezed through qualification for the tournament, scoring 37 goals and conceding only five \u2013 Haaland scored an astounding 16 of those. While this will be the <em>R\u00f8de, Hvite, Bl\u00e5<\/em>\u2019s second group stage game (expect the Manchester City man to star against Iraq on June 16), this match will likely determine the runner-up from Group I.\n    <\/p>\n<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/image\/instances\/cmq6fehcg000a3b6rr6ofy919@published\" class=\"image-elevate vossi-image_elevate  image__hide-placeholder\" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-name=\"GettyImages-2280599810.jpg\" data-component-name=\"image\" data-observe-resizes=\"\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image--eq-extra-small=\"\" data-original-ratio=\"0.6665\" data-original-height=\"1333\" data-original-width=\"2000\" data-url=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2280599810.jpg?c=original\" data-editable=\"settings\">\n<div class=\"image__container\" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image--eq-extra-small=\"\">\n       <picture class=\"image__picture\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"679\" media=\"(max-width: 479px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2280599810.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_679,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"967\" media=\"(min-width: 480px) and (max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2280599810.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_967,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"1159\" media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2280599810.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_1159,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"1093\" media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2280599810.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_1093,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"1316\" media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2280599810.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_1316,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2280599810.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_1093,c_fill\" alt=\"Germany is always a team to keep an eye on at the World Cup, though bookmakers have the team as the seventh-favorite at this edition.\" class=\"image__dam-img image__dam-img--loading\" onload=\"this.classList.remove('image__dam-img--loading')\" onerror=\"imageLoadError(this)\" height=\"1333\" width=\"2000\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq5qdne600123b6rwhebumrw@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            <strong>When:<\/strong> Thursday, June 25 @ 4 p.m. ET\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq5qdoba00143b6r4wnyhhqo@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            <strong>Where:<\/strong> New York\/New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium), East Rutherford, New Jersey\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq5qdoba00153b6r5e88lcsu@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            <strong>Why:<\/strong> OK, hear me out. You might understand Germany being one of the teams to watch \u2013 they have after all won four World Cups and have quite a few recognizable names \u2013 but Ecuador? Well, for one, <em>La Tricolor<\/em> finished second in South America\u2019s tough Conmebol qualification over the likes of Colombia, Uruguay and Brazil. Second, they have a very underrated squad and a unity that will make them hard to beat. Third, the team is used to playing in very extreme conditions \u2013 Ecuador\u2019s national stadium in Quito sits over 9,100 feet above sea level \u2013 which gives it an advantage no matter where it plays in this tournament. Keep an eye on the team, it might just be the Group E winner\u2026\n    <\/p>\n<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/image\/instances\/cmq6ferif000c3b6r0v46qkzq@published\" class=\"image-elevate vossi-image_elevate  image__hide-placeholder\" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-name=\"GettyImages-2278707074.jpg\" data-component-name=\"image\" data-observe-resizes=\"\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image--eq-extra-small=\"\" data-original-ratio=\"0.6665\" data-original-height=\"1333\" data-original-width=\"2000\" data-url=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2278707074.jpg?c=original\" data-editable=\"settings\">\n<div class=\"image__container\" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image--eq-extra-small=\"\">\n       <picture class=\"image__picture\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"679\" media=\"(max-width: 479px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2278707074.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_679,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"967\" media=\"(min-width: 480px) and (max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2278707074.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_967,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"1159\" media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2278707074.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_1159,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"1093\" media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2278707074.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_1093,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"1316\" media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2278707074.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_1316,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2278707074.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_1093,c_fill\" alt=\"Arda G\u00fcler leads a solid Turkey squad at this World Cup.\" class=\"image__dam-img image__dam-img--loading\" onload=\"this.classList.remove('image__dam-img--loading')\" onerror=\"imageLoadError(this)\" height=\"1333\" width=\"2000\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq5qdq9m00173b6rrflfi8cr@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            <strong>When:<\/strong> Thursday, June 25 @ 10 p.m. ET\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq5qdrnt00193b6r9td5t9jk@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            <strong>Where:<\/strong> Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium), Inglewood, California\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq5qdrnt001a3b6riplzn28e@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            <strong>Why:<\/strong> Ah, you thought you wouldn\u2019t see a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2026\/06\/07\/sport\/world-cup-usmnt-miles-robinson\">USMNT<\/a> match in this list? Well, here\u2019s a pleasant surprise for you fans of the Red, White and Blue. This match should be very entertaining. Turkey is a solid squad on an eight-match unbeaten steak heading into the tournament (including a 2-2 away draw against Spain in World Cup qualifying). <em>Ay-Y\u0131ld\u0131zl\u0131lar <\/em>also features one of the brightest young talents in world soccer in Arda G\u00fcler and some of the most fervent supporters on the planet. The US, meanwhile, had an up-and-down path to the World Cup but showed signs of what is possible in a 3-2 win over Senegal. This game could determine who is the group winner, so tune in to see what happens.\n    <\/p>\n<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/image\/instances\/cmq6ff5sk000e3b6ruoewukv5@published\" class=\"image-elevate vossi-image_elevate  image__hide-placeholder\" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-name=\"GettyImages-2246970543.jpg\" data-component-name=\"image\" data-observe-resizes=\"\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image--eq-extra-small=\"\" data-original-ratio=\"0.6665\" data-original-height=\"1333\" data-original-width=\"2000\" data-url=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2246970543.jpg?c=original\" data-editable=\"settings\">\n<div class=\"image__container\" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image--eq-extra-small=\"\">\n       <picture class=\"image__picture\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"679\" media=\"(max-width: 479px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2246970543.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_679,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"967\" media=\"(min-width: 480px) and (max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2246970543.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_967,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"1159\" media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2246970543.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_1159,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"1093\" media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2246970543.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_1093,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"1316\" media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2246970543.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_1316,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2246970543.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_1093,c_fill\" alt=\"Michael Olise is likely to be a breakout star at this World Cup.\" class=\"image__dam-img image__dam-img--loading\" onload=\"this.classList.remove('image__dam-img--loading')\" onerror=\"imageLoadError(this)\" height=\"1333\" width=\"2000\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq5qdttv001c3b6r4iawfud2@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            <strong>When:<\/strong> Friday, June 26 @ 3 p.m. ET\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq5qdv0l001e3b6rpw2gb0za@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            <strong>Where:<\/strong> Boston Stadium (Gillette Stadium), Foxborough, Massachusetts\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq5qejjw001s3b6rwup7ptna@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            <strong>Why:<\/strong> Haaland vs. Mbapp\u00e9 might be your main draw, but I\u2019m going to use this space to wax lyrical about the aforementioned Michael Olise. The French winger has had a fantastic season with Bayern Munich, helping the Bavarians to the Champions League semifinals and racking up an outrageous 52 goals and assists this campaign <a href=\"https:\/\/www.transfermarkt.co.uk\/michael-olise\/leistungsdaten\/spieler\/566723\" target=\"_blank\">across all club competitions<\/a>. Olise has also kept that form up with the national team ahead of the World Cup, scoring a hat-trick in France\u2019s 3-1 win over Northern Ireland on Monday night \u2013 including an <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/foxsoccer\/status\/2064086542063226958?s=46\" target=\"_blank\">incredible solo effort from outside the box<\/a>. I haven\u2019t even gotten to mention Ousmane Demb\u00e9l\u00e9 at all in this space, so needless to say, <em>Les Bleus<\/em> are the favorites here.\n    <\/p>\n<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/image\/instances\/cmq6ffi72000g3b6reztmas97@published\" class=\"image-elevate vossi-image_elevate  image__hide-placeholder\" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-name=\"GettyImages-2278086230.jpg\" data-component-name=\"image\" data-observe-resizes=\"\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image--eq-extra-small=\"\" data-original-ratio=\"0.6665\" data-original-height=\"1333\" data-original-width=\"2000\" data-url=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2278086230.jpg?c=original\" data-editable=\"settings\">\n<div class=\"image__container\" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image--eq-extra-small=\"\">\n       <picture class=\"image__picture\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"679\" media=\"(max-width: 479px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2278086230.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_679,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"967\" media=\"(min-width: 480px) and (max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2278086230.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_967,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"1159\" media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2278086230.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_1159,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"1093\" media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2278086230.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_1093,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"1316\" media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2278086230.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_1316,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2278086230.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_1093,c_fill\" alt=\"Lamine Yamal is coming back from a hamstring injury suffered during the club season, but if he's healthy, Spain has a good chance at winning the competition.\" class=\"image__dam-img image__dam-img--loading\" onload=\"this.classList.remove('image__dam-img--loading')\" onerror=\"imageLoadError(this)\" height=\"1333\" width=\"2000\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq5qdwq9001h3b6r674013kp@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            <strong>When: <\/strong>Friday, June 26 @ 8 p.m. ET\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq5qdxpw001j3b6r3iccv4yi@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            <strong>Where:<\/strong> Guadalajara Stadium (Estadio Akron), Zapopan, Mexico\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq5qdxpw001k3b6rdnchh06l@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            <strong>Why:<\/strong> In what is likely to be its most difficult match of the group stage, tournament favorite Spain takes on two-time World Cup winner Uruguay. <em>La Roja<\/em> has talent all over the pitch, but all eyes will be on Spanish wonderkid Lamine Yamal. The Bar\u00e7a teenage superstar is arguably the best player in the world when he\u2019s playing at his full capacity. A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fcbarcelona.com\/en\/news\/4491939\/lamine-yamal-injury-update\" target=\"_blank\">hamstring injury<\/a> ended his La Liga season early, though it\u2019s expected he will be available for Spain\u2019s first match against Cape Verde on June 15. In all likelihood, <em>La Celeste <\/em>won\u2019t win this match (despite some world-class players like Federico Valverde), but this is a great chance to see if Yamal returns to his peak against a solid opponent. If he does, <em>La Roja<\/em> will be tough to stop.\n    <\/p>\n<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/image\/instances\/cmq6ffue4000i3b6rgqp49kue@published\" class=\"image-elevate vossi-image_elevate  image__hide-placeholder\" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-name=\"GettyImages-2279550282.jpg\" data-component-name=\"image\" data-observe-resizes=\"\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image--eq-extra-small=\"\" data-original-ratio=\"0.6665\" data-original-height=\"1333\" data-original-width=\"2000\" data-url=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2279550282.jpg?c=original\" data-editable=\"settings\">\n<div class=\"image__container\" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image--eq-extra-small=\"\">\n       <picture class=\"image__picture\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"679\" media=\"(max-width: 479px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2279550282.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_679,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"967\" media=\"(min-width: 480px) and (max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2279550282.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_967,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"1159\" media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2279550282.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_1159,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"1093\" media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2279550282.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_1093,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"1316\" media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2279550282.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_1316,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2279550282.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_1093,c_fill\" alt=\"Cristiano Ronaldo is making one last hurrah at this tournament and could prove the difference if deployed in the right situation.\" class=\"image__dam-img image__dam-img--loading\" onload=\"this.classList.remove('image__dam-img--loading')\" onerror=\"imageLoadError(this)\" height=\"1333\" width=\"2000\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq5qdzq4001m3b6rnfzjszb7@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            <strong>When:<\/strong> Saturday, June 27 @ 7:30 p.m. ET\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq5qe0q7001o3b6rp6mwt2kb@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            <strong>Where:<\/strong> Miami Stadium (Hard Rock Stadium), Miami Gardens, Florida\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmq5qe0q7001p3b6rl99arcns@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            <strong>Why:<\/strong> On paper, this is the best match in Group K and very well could determine who goes through top of the group. Colombia finished third in Conmebol qualifying \u2013 though it was level on points with three other national teams \u2013 and was runner-up in the 2024 Copa Am\u00e9rica. <em>Los Cafeteros<\/em> also feature the likes of Bayern Munich star Luis D\u00edaz up front, so could pose some challenges for the Portuguese defense. However, Portugal is the bookmakers\u2019 fourth-favorite of the tournament and boasts a very strong squad with arguably the best midfield in the tournament \u2013 Vitinha, Jo\u00e3o Neves, Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva all feature. While he\u2019s past his prime, Cristiano Ronaldo has also been called up to this Portugal team and could be the difference-maker if manager Roberto Mart\u00ednez can deploy him in the right situations.\n    <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2026\/06\/09\/sport\/world-cup-best-group-stage-matches\">Source link <\/a><br \/>\nMore: <a href=\"https:\/\/theglobaltrack.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Global Track<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/corinthiames.com.br\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Corinthia Mes<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Summary With 72 group stage matches across 17 days at the expanded 2026 World Cup, CNN Sports picks the 10 most compelling contests to watch. These include clashes like Brazil vs. Morocco, France vs. Senegal and Spain vs. Uruguay at venues across North America. Standout matchups feature stars like Erling Haaland making his World Cup [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":146013,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"googlesitekit_rrm_CAow2JLhCw:productID":"","_gspb_post_css":"","maa_idioma":"","maa_pais":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[40158],"tags":[3468,9700,10670,12148,4633],"class_list":["post-146012","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-world","tag-cup","tag-group","tag-matches","tag-stage","tag-world"],"blocksy_meta":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.6 (Yoast SEO v27.6) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>These are the 10 best World Cup group stage matches - Ubirat\u00e3 Online Not\u00edcias - A realidade ao seu alcance!<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The 2026 World Cup is almost here in all its glory and that means non-stop action for fans to watch during a newly expanded tournament.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/en\/these-are-the-10-best-world-cup-group-stage-matches\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"These are the 10 best World Cup group stage matches\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The 2026 World Cup is almost here in all its glory and that means non-stop action for fans to watch during a newly expanded tournament.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/en\/these-are-the-10-best-world-cup-group-stage-matches\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Ubirat\u00e3 Online Not\u00edcias - A realidade ao seu alcance!\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/portalubirataonline\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/portalubirataonline\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-06-09T13:48:34+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-06-09T13:48:37+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/These-are-the-10-best-World-Cup-group-stage-matches.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"450\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"REDA\u00c7\u00c3O: UBIRAT\u00c3 ONLINE - F\u00c1BIO AUGUSTO CELESTINO\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@x.com\/ubirataonline\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@ubirataonline\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"REDA\u00c7\u00c3O: UBIRAT\u00c3 ONLINE - F\u00c1BIO AUGUSTO CELESTINO\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"NewsArticle\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ubirataonline.com.br\\\/these-are-the-10-best-world-cup-group-stage-matches\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ubirataonline.com.br\\\/these-are-the-10-best-world-cup-group-stage-matches\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"REDA\u00c7\u00c3O: UBIRAT\u00c3 ONLINE - F\u00c1BIO AUGUSTO CELESTINO\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ubirataonline.com.br\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/372f87bbd3fdd79b8556b84c98d0bc1c\"},\"headline\":\"These are the 10 best World Cup group stage matches\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-06-09T13:48:34+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-06-09T13:48:37+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ubirataonline.com.br\\\/these-are-the-10-best-world-cup-group-stage-matches\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1691,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ubirataonline.com.br\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ubirataonline.com.br\\\/these-are-the-10-best-world-cup-group-stage-matches\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ubirataonline.com.br\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/These-are-the-10-best-World-Cup-group-stage-matches.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Cup\",\"group\",\"matches\",\"stage\",\"World\"],\"articleSection\":[\"World\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"copyrightYear\":\"2026\",\"copyrightHolder\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ubirataonline.com.br\\\/en\\\/#organization\"}},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ubirataonline.com.br\\\/these-are-the-10-best-world-cup-group-stage-matches\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ubirataonline.com.br\\\/these-are-the-10-best-world-cup-group-stage-matches\\\/\",\"name\":\"These are the 10 best World Cup group stage matches - Ubirat\u00e3 Online Not\u00edcias - A realidade ao seu alcance!\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ubirataonline.com.br\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ubirataonline.com.br\\\/these-are-the-10-best-world-cup-group-stage-matches\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ubirataonline.com.br\\\/these-are-the-10-best-world-cup-group-stage-matches\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ubirataonline.com.br\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/These-are-the-10-best-World-Cup-group-stage-matches.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-06-09T13:48:34+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-06-09T13:48:37+00:00\",\"description\":\"The 2026 World Cup is almost here in all its glory and that means non-stop action for fans to watch during a newly expanded tournament.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ubirataonline.com.br\\\/these-are-the-10-best-world-cup-group-stage-matches\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/ubirataonline.com.br\\\/these-are-the-10-best-world-cup-group-stage-matches\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ubirataonline.com.br\\\/these-are-the-10-best-world-cup-group-stage-matches\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ubirataonline.com.br\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/These-are-the-10-best-World-Cup-group-stage-matches.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ubirataonline.com.br\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/These-are-the-10-best-World-Cup-group-stage-matches.jpg\",\"width\":800,\"height\":450,\"caption\":\"Buda Mendes\\\/Getty Images\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ubirataonline.com.br\\\/these-are-the-10-best-world-cup-group-stage-matches\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"In\u00edcio\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ubirataonline.com.br\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"These are the 10 best World Cup group stage matches\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ubirataonline.com.br\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ubirataonline.com.br\\\/\",\"name\":\"Ubirat\u00e3 Online Not\u00edcias\",\"description\":\"Not\u00edcias de Ubirat\u00e3, regi\u00e3o, Brasil e mundo, com informa\u00e7\u00e3o atualizada e compromisso com o leitor.\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ubirataonline.com.br\\\/#organization\"},\"alternateName\":\"Ubirat\u00e3 Online\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ubirataonline.com.br\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":[\"Organization\",\"Place\"],\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ubirataonline.com.br\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Ubirat\u00e3 Online Not\u00edcias\",\"alternateName\":\"Ubirat\u00e3 Online\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ubirataonline.com.br\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ubirataonline.com.br\\\/these-are-the-10-best-world-cup-group-stage-matches\\\/#local-main-organization-logo\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ubirataonline.com.br\\\/these-are-the-10-best-world-cup-group-stage-matches\\\/#local-main-organization-logo\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/portalubirataonline\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/ubirataonline\",\"https:\\\/\\\/mastodon.social\\\/@ubirataonline\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/groups\\\/311144672285604\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/UBTAOnline\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/portalubirataonline\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/twitter.com\\\/ubirataonline\"],\"description\":\"Somos um portal de not\u00edcias independente, criado em 5 de janeiro de 2009, com o objetivo de informar, conectar e valorizar a nossa comunidade de Ubirat\u00e3 e toda aregi\u00e3o. Com conte\u00fado atualizado, confi\u00e1vel e relevante, o Ubirat\u00e3 Online \u00e9 o seu espa\u00e7o para ficar por dentro dos principais acontecimentos locais, regionais, Brasil, Mundo e de interesse geral. Nosso compromisso \u00e9 com a verdade, a transpar\u00eancia e o respeito ao leitor.\",\"legalName\":\"UBIRATA ONLINE NOT\u00cdCIAS\",\"foundingDate\":\"2009-01-05\",\"numberOfEmployees\":{\"@type\":\"QuantitativeValue\",\"minValue\":\"1\",\"maxValue\":\"10\"},\"publishingPrinciples\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ubirataonline.com.br\\\/faq\\\/\",\"address\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ubirataonline.com.br\\\/these-are-the-10-best-world-cup-group-stage-matches\\\/#local-main-place-address\"},\"geo\":{\"@type\":\"GeoCoordinates\",\"latitude\":\"-24.5361401\",\"longitude\":\"-52.9921776\"},\"telephone\":[\"+5544998308235\"],\"contactPoint\":{\"@type\":\"ContactPoint\",\"email\":\"contato@ubirataonline.com.br\"},\"openingHoursSpecification\":{\"@type\":\"OpeningHoursSpecification\",\"dayOfWeek\":[\"Monday\",\"Tuesday\",\"Wednesday\",\"Thursday\",\"Friday\",\"Saturday\",\"Sunday\"],\"opens\":\"00:00\",\"closes\":\"23:59\"},\"email\":\"contato@ubirataonline.com.br\",\"vatID\":\"47.621.418\\\/0001-80\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ubirataonline.com.br\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/372f87bbd3fdd79b8556b84c98d0bc1c\",\"name\":\"REDA\u00c7\u00c3O: UBIRAT\u00c3 ONLINE - F\u00c1BIO AUGUSTO CELESTINO\",\"pronouns\":\"Ele\",\"description\":\"Desde 2003 trabalhando com not\u00edcias.\",\"sameAs\":[\"http:\\\/\\\/ubirataoline.com.br\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/portalubirataonline\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/ubirataonline_oficial\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/x.com\\\/ubirataonline\"],\"honorificPrefix\":\"Mr.\",\"honorificSuffix\":\"MD\",\"birthDate\":\"1980-06-16\",\"gender\":\"masculino\",\"award\":[\"V\u00e1rios pr\u00eamios de melhor portal da cidade\"],\"jobTitle\":\"Diretor\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ubirataonline.com.br\\\/en\\\/author\\\/ubirataonline\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"PostalAddress\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ubirataonline.com.br\\\/these-are-the-10-best-world-cup-group-stage-matches\\\/#local-main-place-address\",\"streetAddress\":\"Rua dos Coqueiros, 104 - Bairro Boa Vista, Rua dos Coqueiros, 104 Bairro Boa Vista\",\"addressLocality\":\"UBIRATA\",\"postalCode\":\"85440-000\",\"addressRegion\":\"PR\",\"addressCountry\":\"BR\"},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ubirataonline.com.br\\\/these-are-the-10-best-world-cup-group-stage-matches\\\/#local-main-organization-logo\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ubirataonline.com.br\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/logoubirataonline-1.webp\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ubirataonline.com.br\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/logoubirataonline-1.webp\",\"width\":500,\"height\":500,\"caption\":\"Ubirat\u00e3 Online Not\u00edcias\"}]}<\/script>\n<meta name=\"geo.placename\" content=\"UBIRATA\" \/>\n<meta name=\"geo.position\" content=\"-24.5361401;-52.9921776\" \/>\n<meta name=\"geo.region\" content=\"Brazil\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"These are the 10 best World Cup group stage matches - Ubirat\u00e3 Online Not\u00edcias - A realidade ao seu alcance!","description":"The 2026 World Cup is almost here in all its glory and that means non-stop action for fans to watch during a newly expanded tournament.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/en\/these-are-the-10-best-world-cup-group-stage-matches\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"These are the 10 best World Cup group stage matches","og_description":"The 2026 World Cup is almost here in all its glory and that means non-stop action for fans to watch during a newly expanded tournament.","og_url":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/en\/these-are-the-10-best-world-cup-group-stage-matches\/","og_site_name":"Ubirat\u00e3 Online Not\u00edcias - A realidade ao seu alcance!","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/portalubirataonline","article_author":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/portalubirataonline","article_published_time":"2026-06-09T13:48:34+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-06-09T13:48:37+00:00","og_image":[{"width":800,"height":450,"url":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/These-are-the-10-best-World-Cup-group-stage-matches.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"REDA\u00c7\u00c3O: UBIRAT\u00c3 ONLINE - F\u00c1BIO AUGUSTO CELESTINO","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@x.com\/ubirataonline","twitter_site":"@ubirataonline","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"REDA\u00c7\u00c3O: UBIRAT\u00c3 ONLINE - F\u00c1BIO AUGUSTO CELESTINO","Est. reading time":"8 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/these-are-the-10-best-world-cup-group-stage-matches\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/these-are-the-10-best-world-cup-group-stage-matches\/"},"author":{"name":"REDA\u00c7\u00c3O: UBIRAT\u00c3 ONLINE - F\u00c1BIO AUGUSTO CELESTINO","@id":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/#\/schema\/person\/372f87bbd3fdd79b8556b84c98d0bc1c"},"headline":"These are the 10 best World Cup group stage matches","datePublished":"2026-06-09T13:48:34+00:00","dateModified":"2026-06-09T13:48:37+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/these-are-the-10-best-world-cup-group-stage-matches\/"},"wordCount":1691,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/these-are-the-10-best-world-cup-group-stage-matches\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/These-are-the-10-best-World-Cup-group-stage-matches.jpg","keywords":["Cup","group","matches","stage","World"],"articleSection":["World"],"inLanguage":"en-US","copyrightYear":"2026","copyrightHolder":{"@id":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/en\/#organization"}},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/these-are-the-10-best-world-cup-group-stage-matches\/","url":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/these-are-the-10-best-world-cup-group-stage-matches\/","name":"These are the 10 best World Cup group stage matches - Ubirat\u00e3 Online Not\u00edcias - A realidade ao seu alcance!","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/these-are-the-10-best-world-cup-group-stage-matches\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/these-are-the-10-best-world-cup-group-stage-matches\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/These-are-the-10-best-World-Cup-group-stage-matches.jpg","datePublished":"2026-06-09T13:48:34+00:00","dateModified":"2026-06-09T13:48:37+00:00","description":"The 2026 World Cup is almost here in all its glory and that means non-stop action for fans to watch during a newly expanded tournament.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/these-are-the-10-best-world-cup-group-stage-matches\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/these-are-the-10-best-world-cup-group-stage-matches\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/these-are-the-10-best-world-cup-group-stage-matches\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/These-are-the-10-best-World-Cup-group-stage-matches.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/These-are-the-10-best-World-Cup-group-stage-matches.jpg","width":800,"height":450,"caption":"Buda Mendes\/Getty Images"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/these-are-the-10-best-world-cup-group-stage-matches\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"In\u00edcio","item":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"These are the 10 best World Cup group stage matches"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/#website","url":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/","name":"Ubirat\u00e3 Online Not\u00edcias","description":"Not\u00edcias de Ubirat\u00e3, regi\u00e3o, Brasil e mundo, com informa\u00e7\u00e3o atualizada e compromisso com o leitor.","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/#organization"},"alternateName":"Ubirat\u00e3 Online","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":["Organization","Place"],"@id":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/#organization","name":"Ubirat\u00e3 Online Not\u00edcias","alternateName":"Ubirat\u00e3 Online","url":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/","logo":{"@id":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/these-are-the-10-best-world-cup-group-stage-matches\/#local-main-organization-logo"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/these-are-the-10-best-world-cup-group-stage-matches\/#local-main-organization-logo"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/portalubirataonline","https:\/\/x.com\/ubirataonline","https:\/\/mastodon.social\/@ubirataonline","https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/311144672285604","https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/UBTAOnline","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/portalubirataonline\/","https:\/\/twitter.com\/ubirataonline"],"description":"Somos um portal de not\u00edcias independente, criado em 5 de janeiro de 2009, com o objetivo de informar, conectar e valorizar a nossa comunidade de Ubirat\u00e3 e toda aregi\u00e3o. Com conte\u00fado atualizado, confi\u00e1vel e relevante, o Ubirat\u00e3 Online \u00e9 o seu espa\u00e7o para ficar por dentro dos principais acontecimentos locais, regionais, Brasil, Mundo e de interesse geral. Nosso compromisso \u00e9 com a verdade, a transpar\u00eancia e o respeito ao leitor.","legalName":"UBIRATA ONLINE NOT\u00cdCIAS","foundingDate":"2009-01-05","numberOfEmployees":{"@type":"QuantitativeValue","minValue":"1","maxValue":"10"},"publishingPrinciples":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/faq\/","address":{"@id":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/these-are-the-10-best-world-cup-group-stage-matches\/#local-main-place-address"},"geo":{"@type":"GeoCoordinates","latitude":"-24.5361401","longitude":"-52.9921776"},"telephone":["+5544998308235"],"contactPoint":{"@type":"ContactPoint","email":"contato@ubirataonline.com.br"},"openingHoursSpecification":{"@type":"OpeningHoursSpecification","dayOfWeek":["Monday","Tuesday","Wednesday","Thursday","Friday","Saturday","Sunday"],"opens":"00:00","closes":"23:59"},"email":"contato@ubirataonline.com.br","vatID":"47.621.418\/0001-80"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/#\/schema\/person\/372f87bbd3fdd79b8556b84c98d0bc1c","name":"REDA\u00c7\u00c3O: UBIRAT\u00c3 ONLINE - F\u00c1BIO AUGUSTO CELESTINO","pronouns":"Ele","description":"Desde 2003 trabalhando com not\u00edcias.","sameAs":["http:\/\/ubirataoline.com.br","https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/portalubirataonline","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/ubirataonline_oficial","https:\/\/x.com\/x.com\/ubirataonline"],"honorificPrefix":"Mr.","honorificSuffix":"MD","birthDate":"1980-06-16","gender":"masculino","award":["V\u00e1rios pr\u00eamios de melhor portal da cidade"],"jobTitle":"Diretor","url":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/en\/author\/ubirataonline\/"},{"@type":"PostalAddress","@id":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/these-are-the-10-best-world-cup-group-stage-matches\/#local-main-place-address","streetAddress":"Rua dos Coqueiros, 104 - Bairro Boa Vista, Rua dos Coqueiros, 104 Bairro Boa Vista","addressLocality":"UBIRATA","postalCode":"85440-000","addressRegion":"PR","addressCountry":"BR"},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/these-are-the-10-best-world-cup-group-stage-matches\/#local-main-organization-logo","url":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/logoubirataonline-1.webp","contentUrl":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/logoubirataonline-1.webp","width":500,"height":500,"caption":"Ubirat\u00e3 Online Not\u00edcias"}]},"geo.placename":"UBIRATA","geo.position":{"lat":"-24.5361401","long":"-52.9921776"},"geo.region":"Brazil"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/146012","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=146012"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/146012\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/146013"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=146012"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=146012"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=146012"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}