Top 5 World Cup Group Stage Matches

As the World Cup draws ever nearer, and over 100 matches kicking off in the next month, it is clear that this will be one of the greatest sporting spectacles ever seen. With 48 competing countries (12 groups of 4), it is near impossible to choose which games will bring the most entertainment, but these are five of the most anticipated group stage fixtures to look out for:

1. Brazil vs Morocco

This is almost the decider of who finishes top of Group C. With Haiti being massive underdogs and favourites to finish bottom of the group, it seems like this will be the Top 2. Of course, with Scotland you never know, as McTominay has been in such flying form over the last 2 years, as well as John McGinn who is just off the back of a Europa League win and a cracking season for Villa.

But on paper, Brazil and Morocco are the leading two of the group. Back in Qatar at the 2022 World Cup, Morocco were massive dark horses, and getting to the Semi-Final was a huge achievement, so would not be surprised to see them cause some upset this year, and people argue that Ancelotti has been pretty controversial with his squad choice, especially in forward areas, the main discussion being leaving out Chelsea man João Pedro after his fantastic individual season. To be honest, as great as it is that Neymar will be at the World Cup, I can’t see him being very influential. So injury-prone, hasn’t played much this season but who knows. Will be a fantastic game of football.

13th June, 23:00 (UK Time)

2. France vs Senegal

Another eye-catcher in Group I. The joint favourites (along with Spain) vs AFCON winners. This Senegal squad is stacked with highlevel experience, with the likes of Mané, Ndiaye, Jackson, Sarr, Gueye (all three of them), Koulibaly and more. Will it be enough to put up a good fight against France? I still don’t think so, but I’m sure it’ll be a tough opener for the French. However, this is one of the strongest France sides we have seen in a long time, a front line of Mbappe, Olise, and Dembélé is out of this world (assuming Deschamps doesn’t go for Doué or Barcola instead). Cherki will then presumably take up the No. 10 role, which he has been magnificent at for City this season. The fact that Desire Doue might not start just shows the abundance of quality they have to choose from. France are looking too strong overall so a win for them is highly expected.

16th June, 20:00 (UK Time).

3. England vs Croatia

Of course, as an Englishman, this has been in the diary for quite some time. Had some nasty encounters with Croatia over the years, especially that 2-1 loss in the 2018 Semi-Final, absolutely heartbreaking. Hopefully England can right their wrongs and show the world that they are a side capable of winning the entire competition. Croatia as a squad aren’t quite as strong as they were back in 2018, as the legend himself Luka Modric is 40 years old now, and players they had such as Rakitic and Mandzukic have moved on from playing. Will be a good test for Tuchel in his first competition-based match as England manager, we’ve seen that his style of play is much more aggressive than Gareth Southgate’s, so I’m expecting more goals than ever.

17th June, 21:00 (UK Time)

4. Columbia vs Portugal

The last dance for Cristiano Ronaldo. Not an overly challenging Group K, with Portugal facing Congo, Uzbekistan, and Columbia. But the South Americans are always a bit of a surprise package when it comes to international football. There is some serious talent in that squad, of course.

Luis Diaz is the main man to look out for, a fantastic season with Bayern, 26 goals and 19 assists just shows the ability he possesses. But, no one can deny the ridiculousness of this Portugal side, surely the best Portugal have ever seen. Obviously, Cristiano Ronaldo is now 41 but age seems to never take a toll on his hunger and drive to keep going and win trophies, but the rest of the assumed Starting XI is a joke. PFA Player of the Year Bruno Fernandes, The best wing-back in the world in Nuno Mendes, 4-time Premier League winner Ruben Dias, arguably the best midfielder in the world (Vitinha), the legend Bernardo Silva, and so many more. There is a slight concern over the depth of their squad, but as long as there aren’t any serious injuries to the players I’ve listed above I’m sure they’ll do extremely well. I don’t think they’ll win the whole tournament just because it feels that the script for Messi and Messi only to win the World Cup is done and dusted, surely there can’t be another twist to the greatest individual rivalry in the history of football. But when it’s the World Cup, no one can know.

28th June, 00:30 (UK Time).

5. Norway vs France

Another French fixture gets into the Top 5.

Group I is probably the group to look out for most, absolutely stacked with world class players.

But this match-up is the one to look out for. Haaland vs Mbappe & Co. Will Haaland be able to continue his out-of-this-world form in front of goal for Norway, just as he has been doing for Manchester City the moment he signed back in 2022?

Already scored 162 goals for Manchester City in 4 seasons, he almost is a bit underrated as people just brush past his numbers acting like it is normal now. With Premier League winner Martin Ødegaard sitting in the 10 just behind him, it’s hard to see that link up not leading to goals.

But as I’ve said above France in the previous slide, their attack is going to cause some serious problems for any side they come up against, and the Norwegian defensive line has got their work cut out for them, with the likes of Mbappe, Dembélé, and Olise constantly on the attack.

For this tie, the real question is: can France stop Erling Haaland? If they do, I think this’ll be a French goal fest, but if they don’t, there could be a serious upset.

26th June, 20:00 (UK Time).