The World Cup 2026 feels like it has taken an age to arrive, but the June 11 kick-off is finally on the horizon to offer fans a summer feast of football.
Set to take place across the United States, Mexico and Canada, the Scotland national team begin their own campaign with a clash against Haiti in the early hours of June 14 as they aim to make history by qualifying for the knockout stages for the very first time.
Football fans the world over will be excited to see how a host of the world’s best footballers perform under the microscope of the sport’s premier tournament, with France’s Kylian Mbappe, England’s Harry Kane, and Scotland’s Scott McTominay expected to line up for their respective nations.
While the knockout stages are often the most thrilling parts of any major tournament, the group stages have thrown up a superb selection of clashes. Want to know which group stage battles you have to tune into this summer?
Here are 10 World Cup group games you should definitely not miss!
9. Norway vs France - June 26 - 8pm
A final group fixture which could prove vital to both side's hopes of progression will pit together two of the world's most lethal goal-scorers in Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe. An eye-catching battle, played at a perfect time for neutral UK viewers. | AFP via Getty Images
10. Uruguay v Spain - June 27 - 1am
Fancy staying up late to see if iconic manager Marcelo Bielsa can outsmart European champions Spain in their final Group H fixture? Oh, go on then! Get the popcorn ready. | Getty Images