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  1. Today’s FIFA World Cup Schedule 6/16
  2. Best World Cup Match To Watch Today
  3. Top Players To Watch in Today’s Matches
  4. Biggest Storylines Heading Into Today’s Matches
  5. World Cup Odds Today at DraftKings Sportsbook
  6. What Today’s Matches Mean For The Tournament

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is officially underway! It’s time to dive into the World Cup matches today to get you ready to enjoy the tournament in all its glory. The World Cup schedule today features four matches, headlined by France and Argentina in action. Let’s preview today’s World Cup matches with the top players, biggest storylines, and betting odds to know. 

Today’s FIFA World Cup Schedule 6/16

We have four World Cup matches today as the group stage continues. The games span both Group I and Group J. Check out the World Cup schedule today before you enjoy the matches. 

  • France vs. Senegal – 3 pm ET on FOX
  • Iraq vs. Norway – 6 pm ET on FOX
  • Argentina vs. Algeria – 9 pm ET on FS1
  • Austria vs. Jordan – 12 am ET on FS1

 

 

 

Best World Cup Match To Watch Today

The first game on Tuesday is the best of today’s World Cup matches. After losing in penalty kicks to Argentina in the 2022 World Cup, France is hungry to return to glory. The French won it all in 2018, and they’re expected to be a top contender this time around. However, an opening match against Senegal is no cakewalk. 

Senegal can compete and make France work for the win. Sadio Mane and Nicolas Jackson give the African nation some offensive firepower to grab a goal or two. The Senegal roster also features plenty of athleticism, strength, and speed to match up with France on the defensive end. Can the underdogs steal a point with a draw? Or will France take care of business? 

Top Players To Watch in Today’s Matches

The World Cup matches today feature several top players worth watching. Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele headline France’s dangerous attack as two of the most electric forwards in the tournament. On the other side of that match, Sadio Mane and Nicolas Jackson are real goal-scoring threats for Senegal. 

Lionel Messi is back for his 6th World Cup for Argentina. The GOAT is obviously the main man to watch whenever his team is in action. Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez also star in Argentina’s attack. Meanwhile, Riyad Mahrez is Algeria’s stud on the opposite end of that matchup. 

Elsewhere in today’s World Cup matches, Norway’s Erling Haaland is arguably the best striker in the world and will likely contend for the Golden Boot. We also have forward Marko Arnautovic and midfielder Marcel Sabitzer starring in Austria’s attack. 

 

 


 

Biggest Storylines Heading Into Today’s Matches

As we dive deeper into the World Cup schedule today, let’s look at some of the biggest storylines to know. Argentina and France both begin their quests to reach the World Cup final again. Lionel Messi and Argentina won it all four years ago and will try to be the first back-to-back champs since Brazil in 1962. Meanwhile, the French came up short in penalty kicks in the 2022 final, but they’re only eight years removed from a World Cup title of their own. 

In the other two World Cup matches today, both Norway and Austria are expected to win their opening matches. Both are also projected to finish in second in their respective groups, behind Argentina and France. Victories on Tuesday would go a long way towards qualification, especially to keep pace with those group favorites.  

World Cup Odds Today at DraftKings Sportsbook

Now that we’ve set the stage for the World Cup matches today, let’s talk betting odds. Check out how the odds and lines shake out for the World Cup schedule today, courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook. 

  • France vs. Senegal
    • Moneyline: France -215 | Draw +360 | Senegal +600
    • Total Goals: Over 2.5 (-130) | Under 3.5 (+105)
  • Iraq vs. Norway
    • Moneyline: Iraq +1300 | Draw +600 | Norway -475
    • Total Goals: Over 2.5 (-165) | Under 2.5 (+130)
  • Argentina vs. Algeria
    • Moneyline: Argentina -225 | Draw +350 | Algeria +700
    • Total Goals: Over 2.5 (-110) | Under 2.5 (-115)
  • Austria vs. Jordan
    • Moneyline: Austria -275 | Draw +400 | Jordan +800
    • Total Goals: Over 2.5 (-125) | Under 2.5 (+100)

 

 


 

What Today’s Matches Mean For The Tournament

The World Cup matches today carry plenty of weight for the tournament overall. A win and three points for any team can be critical towards advancing past the group stages. Norway and Austria both have aspirations to advance into the knockout rounds, and they’re expected to do so. If either squad loses or draws on Tuesday, though, qualifying past group play becomes much more difficult. 

Can either Iraq or Jordan shake things up with a draw, or even an outright upset? That would certainly create some chaos in those groups. On that note, will Algeria or Senegal eke out positive results against Argentina and France, respectively? Even a draw in those matches would immediately mean uncertainty in the group standings.