Updated
Updated · Al Jazeera English · Jun 16
World Cup Day 6 Opens With 4 Matches as France, Argentina Start Against Senegal and Algeria
Updated
Updated · Al Jazeera English · Jun 16

World Cup Day 6 Opens With 4 Matches as France, Argentina Start Against Senegal and Algeria

3 articles · Updated · Al Jazeera English · Jun 16

Summary

  • Four teams open their World Cup campaigns on Tuesday, with France facing Senegal at 19:00 GMT and Argentina meeting Algeria at 01:00 GMT Wednesday in the day’s headline fixtures.
  • Opta’s projections make France a 64.8% favorite against Senegal and Argentina a 68.2% favorite against Algeria, pointing to difficult but favored starts for both heavyweights.
  • Norway return to the World Cup for the first time since 1998 against Iraq, with the supercomputer giving Erling Haaland’s side a 77.4% chance of victory; Austria are also favored at 70.3% against Jordan.
  • The day’s backdrop includes Cape Verde celebrating a 0-0 draw with Spain, Saudi Arabia holding Uruguay 1-1, and Iraq supporters balancing joy at a first World Cup in more than 40 years with frustration over fan travel restrictions.

Insights

With key stars absent, can France's new attack conquer a Senegal team seeking justice?
Will this 48-team format create legendary upsets or prove critics of diluted quality right?
Can Haaland's record-breaking debut outshine Messi's quest for a final World Cup trophy?