Ranking the World Cup Group Stage's 10 Biggest Games Left

by Zak Drapeau

Sportz Nation - 6/24/2026

Photo Credits to Troy Taormina via Reuters

Colombia vs Portugal

June 27th, 7:30 pm EST

Miami, FL

Not only is this match for 1st place of Group K but it should be one of the closest battles of the entire Group Stage. Portugal's 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan was a great turn out after their first game drew with the Congo. Meanwhile Colombia has defeated both of the weaker sides of the group but hasn't shown anything close to a 5-0 domination.

These two nations' battle will be a gigantic clash between two of the worlds' biggest powers and will decide the fate of Group K. A draw will keep Colombia at the top and guarantee a 2nd place finish for Portugal, while a Portuguese or Colombian win will guarantee the victor the spoils. Interestingly enough there is a very small chance that Congo could still end up as 3rd place. With a draw against Portugal, Congo will need to beat Uzbekistan by enough with Portugal losing to Colombia to have their goal differential be larger than Portugal's. With a 6 goal difference currently in favor of Portugal that will be a gargantuan task but definitely not impossible.

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France vs Norway

June 26th, 3:00 pm EST

Foxborough, MA

Mbappe vs Haaland is EASILY the biggest superstar vs superstar matchup so far and it even shows in ticket prices as the most expensive game of the World Cup yet. France is a considerable favorite wo win the game at -159 and has a considerably deeper roster but in the battle for the best player on the pitch, right now that has to go to Norway's striker.

Haaland has scored 4 goals in the first two World Cup games and has 12 goals in his last 12 games dating back to domestic play since April. Mbappe has also scored 4 in Frances first two games as well but has less impact than Haaland. In fact, France's best players are Mbappe and Dembele who are both Ballon d'Or candidates and neither of them have been in form like Haaland. That being said, Haaland will have to play the game of his life and score at least another 2 goals against France's daunting defense to win this game which just so happens to be for 1st place of Group I.

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Photo Credits to Julio Cesar Aguilar via AFP

Japan vs Sweden

June 25th, 7:00 pm EST

Arlington, TX

Japan was a sneaky dark horse in this World Cup and proved that with a Netherlands-draw and dismantling of Tunisia. Their next matchup in Group F is with another team that's surprisingly put together in Sweden. Neither team boasts superstars or Ballon d'or-type players but they both possess skilled and unselfish players, world class managers and a game plan solely centered around winning.

Japan is the favorite after their 2-2 draw with the Dutch came before the Orange dominated Sweden 5-1 this week but the line is considerably closer to a draw result. With Sweden relying on a slow-paced and team centered defense, Japan will be more cautious in this matchup and frankly could concede a goal in a low-scoring affair. With Japan sitting at 4 points and Sweden at 3, this match will be instrumental in the finish of their group that has the Netherlands currently in first thanks to the 4th tiebreaker of having 1 more total goal than Japan.

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Croatia vs Ghana

June 27th, 5:00 pm EST

Philadelphia, PA

After beating Panama yesterday, Croatia is still VERY MUCH in play to not only compete in Group L but to actually win it. On the other hand, Ghana just drew with group leader England in a shockingly great defensive game to snag a much needed point in the division after Croatia conceded 4 goals to them last week.

The group's final game on the final gameday of Group Stage will determine the final placements of the knockout stage. Croatia need a draw at the very least to even be eligible in making one of the Stage's 8, 3rd-place teams but will be gunning for a win. For either country, a win secures 2nd place and a seat in the next round. Ghana's defense has held both Panama and England to 0 goals in over 180 minutes of play and will be attempting to hold up one last time to punch their ticket to their first Kncokout stage since 2010.

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Photo Credits to Ercin Erturk/ Anadolu via Getty Images

Switzerland vs Canada

June 24th, 3:00 pm EST

Vancouver, Canada

Group A may be the worst collection of countries in this World Cup but for the battle of 1st place, this matchup is juicy. Not to mention the fact that their game has one of the host countries involved in their home country for all the marbles.

This matchup is also expected to be the closest of any this week with neither country or a draw having negative odds. Both teams have dominant, high-scoring wins and have a draw and both have them against the other team. Canada's Jonathan David is leading their group with 3 goals and will be instrumental in this game with Canada's fragile 1st place, tiebreaker lead in jeopardy.

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Saudi Arabia vs

Cabo Verde

June 26th, 8:00 pm EST

Houston, TX

The fact that we are starting the 3rd week of Group Stage and Cape Verde not only has a chance to make the Knockout Stage but probably has the edge to is insane. After their improbable draw with Spain was superseded by an electric comeback tie with Uruguay, they are now 90 minutes away with the worst team in their group from the 3 points they need to advance. Saudi Arabia is not a bad team by any means evident by their tie with Uruguay as well but they're definitely the underdogs.

Verde's GK Vozinha's heroics against Spain were not present against Uruguay but their back line did enough to move forward and their attack came in the clutch. With Saudi Arabia's defense not heralded like their previous opponents, Verde may only need one goal to advance and continue the best story of the entire event so far.

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Photo Credits to Ahn Young-joon via Associated Press

South Africa vs

South Korea

June 24th, 9:00 pm EST

Guadalupe, Mexico

This matchup is every bit as important of a match in terms of group seeding as the others but in a game I deem less competitive. South Korea is far and away the better roster and the betting favorite for this match. South Africa may have gotten a draw with Czechia that puts them in contention for 2nd place if they can beat South Korea, but I just can't see it happening.

South Korea was about 3 inches of a diving Mexican Goalkeeper away from drawing the group leader last week. Korea's attack is far superior to South Africa's and also has the 4 or 5 best players from either side on their team. This game will be intense and contentious no doubt, but it should aslo bring about an expected 1 or 2-0 score line for the favorites.

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Scotland vs Brazil

June 24th, 6:00 pm EST

Miami, FL

This match is just as important especially since Scotland has 3 points to Brazil's 4 but is probably even more of a mismatch. While I love Scotland's aura in this World Cup which is helped by their countrymen and fans taking over Boston and being the best fans of the whole event, they just aren't Brazil.

Brazil may have gotten off to a slow start against other powerhouse Morocco but they showed their true power beating Haiti 3-0. Now that Scotland is the final team in the way of possibly not even making the Knockout stage, watch for the Brazilians to come out even stronger in this one and very very VERY sadly, send the Scots on a flight back home.

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Photo Credits to Cat Bryant via socceroos.com

Paraguay vs Australia

June 25th, 10:00 pm EST

Santa Clara, CA

With the United States securing 1st place for Group D, the 2nd place is officially up for grabs in this matchup between two lower=tier but scrappy nations in Paraguay and Australia. Both teams hold a win over Turkiye and a loss to the United States and will play tomorrow night for a place in the Knockout stage with the loser on their way back home.

A draw is the favorite in this matchup with Paraguay a little ahead of Australia's odds on advancing. Paraguay was SOUNDLY defeated in Week 1 against the Americans but came back last week and showed tremendous poise and defense against the Turks. Australia has been up and down but if they're on and in form it'd be hard for me to bet against them.

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Algeria vs Austria

June 27th, 10 pm EST

Kansas City, MO

The weakest matchup that will determine a spot in the next stage has to be Algeria and Austria. Both nations hold a win over Jordan to get to this point while also being put away by Lionel Messi and Argentina. Austria only allowed 2 goals from the GOAT while Algeria gave him a hattrick.

Without Messi on the other side of the pitch both teams have a chance now and will be full speed ahead with the winner securing a spot in the tournament. As the final game of Group Stage late-Saturday night, Austria is the slight betting favorite even though I personally see this one going to a 1-1 draw. If it happens, Austria will hold a total goal advantage and advance.

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-Z.D.