World Cup matchday 6: France takes on Senegal, Argentina to defend the title
On the sixth day of the 2026 World Cup, France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway, Argentina, Algeria, Austria and Jordan will begin their campaigns. The day’s main storylines include France revisiting the painful memories of the 2002 World Cup, Argentina’s first match as defending champions and Erling Haaland‘s long-awaited World Cup debut.
2026 FIFA World Cup
Group I, Round 1, June 16, East Rutherford, MetLife Stadium
France vs. Senegal W0 D0 L1 (0-1)
Coaches: Didier Deschamps / Pape Thiaw
Referee: Alireza Faghani (Australia)
France begins its tournament with a match that can hardly be called ordinary. In 2002, Senegal upset the defending champions 1-0, and Senegal’s current coach, Pape Thiaw, was in the squad. This time, he returns to the matchup as head coach.
The main concern for France is the form and fitness of Kylian Mbappé. The captain remains the face of the team but enters the tournament under pressure. He is expected to provide not only goals, but also leadership in matches where Senegal are expected to play fast and tough football. France’s opponent is unlikely to give much space, with enough speed and physicality to punish mistakes in midfield.
2026 FIFA World Cup
Group I, Round 1, June 16, Foxborough, Gillette Stadium
Iraq vs. Norway (first meeting)
Coaches: Graham Arnold (Australia) / Ståle Solbakken
Referee: Pierre Atcho (Gabon)
In the second match of Group I, the main attraction will be Erling Haaland. Norway is back at the World Cup for the first time since 1998, and its current squad looks far more solid than just «a one-forward team.» Haaland is supported by Martin Ødegaard, with the team having qualified comfortably. Ståle Solbakken has hardly hidden the plan: if there is a striker like this, the ball should regularly find its way to him.
On paper, Iraq looks like the least prominent side in the group, but matches like this can upset pre-tournament expectations. Graham Arnold’s team took a difficult path to the tournament, and the Australian coach has already shown he can prepare national teams for major matches — in 2022 he guided Australia to the World Cup knockout stage. Norway will be the favorite, but they will need to seize the moment to avoid turning their opening game into a long attempt to break down a deep defense.
2026 FIFA World Cup
Group J, Round 1, June 16, Kansas City, Arrowhead Stadium
Argentina vs. Algeria W1 D0 L0 (4-3)
Coaches: Lionel Scaloni / Vladimir Petković (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Referee: Szymon Marciniak (Poland)
Argentina begins its title defence with a match in which calm, champion-like control will be expected. But this is where danger lies. In Qatar 2022, Argentina also started against an opponent they were expected to beat and the defeat to Saudi Arabia became the biggest shock of the opening round.
Lionel Messi will once again be the center of attention. This will be his sixth World Cup appearance, and his presence alone makes the match a notable event. However, Algeria does not look like a team that has come to the tournament simply to watch the legend in action. Vladimir Petković’s side has become more stable, transitions quickly from defense, and has enough players capable of causing problems even for the favorites.
2026 FIFA World Cup
Group J, Round 1, June 16, Santa Clara, Levi’s Stadium
Austria vs. Jordan (first meeting)
Coaches: Ralf Rangnick (Germany) / Jamal Sellami (Morocco)
Referee: Dahane Beida (Mauritania)
The final match of the day will be between Austria and Jordan. For Austria, this marks a return to the World Cup after a 28-year absence, and Ralf Rangnick’s side arrives at the tournament no longer as a mid-table team, but as a side with a clear system: intense pressing, high speed of decision-making and a strong focus on work off the ball. But matches like this can be a trap — Austria will need to take points before facing Argentina and Algeria.
For Jordan, this is a historic World Cup debut. Jamal Sellami’s team is likely to play cautiously, look for space behind Austria’s defense and rely on quick attacks through Rennes’s winger Mousa Al-Taamari.
