The first five days of the World Cup have belonged to the underdogs. Today, however, belongs to the stars. Heavyweights Argentina and France, who are starting their campaigns, will be among the teams competing in the World Cup on Tuesday.
In a rematch of their historic opener from the 2002 World Cup, France, the 2018 champions, will play Senegal in East Rutherford, New Jersey, while Argentina led by Lionel Messi, will play Algeria in Kansas City, Missouri. In the other games on Tuesday, Norway plays Iraq in their first World Cup appearance in 28 years and Austria plays Jordan in the day’s final encounter.
Match 1: France vs Senegal
Players to watch: Kylian Mbappé (France) and Sadio Mane (Senegal) are the stars. However, Rayan Cherki is the creative midfielder who needs to replace Griezmann’s connection with Mbappe for France to win this tournament. Also pay attention to emerging star winger Iliman Ndiaye from Senegal.
Why this match matters: Senegal may be Africa’s best hope of a deep run in this tournament. If France is not sharp, Senegal has enough talent and athleticism to make them pay. They did so in 2002 in the opening match when France were the defending World Cup champions.
Prediction: France 2, Senegal 1
Match 2: Iraq vs Norway
Players to watch: Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard (Norway). This is Haaland’s first World Cup and one of the biggest stories of the opening round. He scored 16 goals in World Cup qualifying and has Arsenal’s Odegaard to create opportunities for him.
Why this match matters: Norway is making its first World Cup appearance since 1998 and arrives with its strongest generation in decades. But as this tournament has shown, Asian teams are much tougher than expected.
Prediction: Norway 2, Iraq 0
Match 3: Argentina vs Algeria
Players to watch: Lionel Messi (Argentina) and Riyad Mahrez (Algeria). At 39, every World Cup appearance feels significant. Whether this is Messi’s final tournament or not, fans understand there may not be many nights like this left. It is also the swansong for 35-year-old Mahrez, the former Manchester City treble winner and African player of the year.
Why this match matters: Argentina entered the 2022 World Cup with a shocking loss to Saudi Arabia and still lifted the trophy. They will hope to get off to a better start with an older squad missing stars such as Angel di Maria. There is no margin for error this time.
Prediction: Argentina 2, Algeria 0
Match 4: Austria vs Jordan
Players to watch: Musa Al-Taamari (Jordan) and Marko Arnautović (Austria). If Jordan is going to make history in its first-ever World Cup appearance, Al-Taamari is the most likely player to make it happen.
Why this match matters: Austria is back at the World Cup for the first time since 1998. Jordan is here for the first time ever.
Prediction: Austria 2, Jordan 1
Three big talking points from Day 3
- Can Mbappé deliver the first dominant performance by a pre-tournament favourite?
- Does Haaland announce himself to the wider World Cup audience?
- Can Messi still produce moments that only Messi can?
Day 6 India Timings
12:30 AM IST – France vs Senegal
3:30 AM IST – Iraq vs Norway
6:30 AM IST – Argentina vs Algeria
9:30 AM IST – Austria vs Jordan
– Inputs from Sanjay Reddy