World Cup Match Day 6: Messi, Mbappé, Haaland Lead the Way

Tuesday is one of the most exciting days in the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Kylian Mbappé and France begin the day by taking on one of Africa's best teams in Senegal. The second game features Erling Haaland and Norway beginning their tournament run when they face Iraq.

Then Lionel Messi and Argentina begin their title defense against an Algerian team that enters the tournament playing great soccer. Finally, one of the most improved European teams in Austria looks to continue to impress in its opener when it faces Jordan.

Here's all you need to know for the big day:

France vs. Senegal: How to Watch

When: Tuesday, June 16, 3 p.m. ET Where: New York/New Jersey TV: FOX Stream: Watch three days free on FOX One

France opens its World Cup at New York/New Jersey Stadium with a difficult test against one of Africa's best teams in Senegal.

France is remarkably deep and talented at every position and the team's expectation is to lift every trophy possible. But the team has come up short in its last two major tournaments. At the 2022 World Cup final, France painfully lost to Argentina on penalties. At Euro 2024, France fell to eventual champions Spain 2-1 in the semifinal round.

Under head coach Didier Deschamps, France strolled through World Cup qualifying without a loss, outscoring opponents 16-4 over six games.

Kylian Mbappé is eyeing a third straight World Cup final appearance. (Getty)

It's hard to find a weakness in France as Ibrahima Konaté and Willian Saliba likely make up the best central defensive pairing at this tournament. The midfield trio of Aurelien Tchouameni, N'Golo Kante, and Adrien Rabiot are all well established at the highest levels. And the front line consists of Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembélé, who recently won the Champions League with Paris St. Germain, and Kylian Mbappé, who is one of the best attackers of his generation.

Even with all that talent, there are some concerns. France was stunned by the Ivory Coast in its first World Cup tune-up in Nante as the African nation carved up the French defense with excellent passing en route to a 2-1 win. France then won its final World Cup friendly against Northern Ireland 3-1 but was not particularly sharp.

Coached by Pape Thiaw (who spent a large portion of his playing career in France), Senegal will not be an easy game for France. Currently, ranked 15th in the latest FIFA Rankings, Senegal also qualified for this World Cup without losing a game. Sadio Mané, 34, is not the player he was a decade ago, but he is still a dangerous forward. Winger Nicholas Jackson is also a top-level attacker after recently winning the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich, while on loan from Chelsea.

But there is a lot of depth to this Senegal team and 20 of the 26 players played in Europe's top five leagues this past season.

France vs. Senegal: Player to Watch

Kylian Mbappé: Regarded as one of the best players of his generation (ranked No. 2 in our Top World Cup Players), the French striker is on the shortlist for most experts to win the World Cup's Golden Ball, Golden Boot, or both. The common criticism of Mbappé in recent years has been his scoring efficiency, as he has been wasteful with many of his opportunities despite still scoring goals in droves. This was the case in France's two friendlies prior to the World Cup. He had six shots against Northern Ireland and did not score. Against the Ivory Coast, he only had one shot that was saved.

Mbappé could use a strong start at this World Cup to get into a rhythm for the knockout stages. But if he continues to go games without scoring, frustration could set in.

When: Tuesday, June 16, 12 p.m. ET Where: Boston TV: FOX Stream: Watch three days free on FOX One

The second game of the day takes us to Boston Stadium when Norway takes on Iraq in the Group I opener for both teams.

All eyes will be on Norway in this game. Currently ranked 31st in the FIFA World Rankings, the last time Norway was in the World Cup was 1998. The last time it participated in the European Championships was in 2000. Despite not having been relevant on the international stage for over two decades, Norway brings a very talented team to the 2026 World Cup and has the potential to make a very deep run.

Norway was the most dominant team in UEFA World Cup qualifying, having won all eight of its games in a group with Italy, Israel, Estonia, and Moldova and outscoring opponents by a stunning margin of 37-5.

Erling Haaland is one of the best center forwards in the world. In his club career in top divisions (with Molde, Red Bull Salzburg, Borussia Dortmund, and Manchester City), Haaland has scored 297 goals in 364 games in all competitions.

For Norway's national team, he has 55 goals in 50 appearances.

Norway has elite players but is not particularly deep. For the team to make a deep run, its star players will have to play well and that starts with Haaland.

Norway vs. Iraq: Player to Watch

Erling Haaland: With how good Haaland, 25, has been at the club level, he will finally have the opportunity to play in a major international tournament with Norway, like his father, Alf-Inge Håland, did for Norway at the 1994 World Cup in the United States. Haaland (ranked No. 6 in our Top World Cup Players) was the top goalscorer in UEFA World Cup qualifying with 16 goals, and he now enters this tournament as a contender for the Golden Boot.

Argentina vs. Algeria: How to Watch

When: Tuesday, June 16, 6 p.m. ET Where: Kansas City TV: FOX Stream: Watch three days free on FOX One

The reigning champions Argentina kicks off its title defense on Tuesday when it faces Algeria at Kansas City Stadium in Missouri in Group J action.

Argentina has not taken its foot off the gas pedal since winning the 2022 World Cup. At the 2024 Copa América, Argentina cruised to the title while conceding just one goal over its six games. Then in CONMEBOL's singles-table World Cup qualifying, Argentina easily finished in first, nine points better than second-place Ecuador and outscoring opponents 31-10 over 18 games.

The concern over Argentina is that the team has mostly remained the same since winning the 2022 World Cup. Lionel Scaloni remains the head coach and Lionel Messi remains the team's captain and most important player.

Austria vs. Jordan: How to Watch

When: Tuesday, June 16, 12 p.m. ET Where: San Francisco Bay Area TV: FOX Stream: Watch three days free on FOX One

One of the world's most improved teams in Austria gets its World Cup underway with high expectations when it takes on Jordan on Tuesday night at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.