DID Press: FIFA World Cup 2026 continued with four Group I and J matches, where Argentina and France secured early qualification to the knockout stage, while Norway and Algeria kept their hopes alive with crucial victories.
Match Results
Argentina 2–0 Austria
Argentina confirmed their progression with a dominant performance, with Lionel Messi scoring twice to reach a historic milestone in World Cup goal records, further strengthening his position among the tournament’s all-time leading scorers.
France 3–0 Iraq
France advanced to the knockout phase after a commanding win in a match briefly interrupted by adverse weather conditions. The reigning finalists maintained a perfect record in the group stage.
Norway 3–2 Senegal
In one of the most competitive matches of the night, Norway edged Senegal in a high-scoring encounter, securing six points and placing themselves in a strong position for qualification.
Algeria 2–1 Jordan
Algeria came from behind to claim a comeback victory, keeping their qualification hopes alive, while Jordan was eliminated from the tournament.
Group Outlook
With these results, Argentina and France became the first teams from Groups J and I to secure passage to the knockout stage. The battle for the second qualification spots remains open heading into the final round of group matches.
Upcoming Fixtures (Matchday – Afghanistan Time)
- Portugal vs Uzbekistan – 9:30 PM
- England vs Ghana – 12:30 AM
- Panama vs Croatia – 3:30 AM
- Colombia vs DR Congo – 6:30 AM
Key fixtures include Portugal’s bid for their first win after a draw in their opener and England’s opportunity to secure early qualification with a victory over Ghana.