Today's football predictions for 16 Jun 2026: Analysis of 3 matches in the 2026 World Cup group stage and today's match schedule.
On 16 June 2026, today's football predictions continue with the 2026 World Cup, featuring top contenders Argentina, the defending champions, France, the runners-up, and Norway, who have a star striker on their team. Let's review the analysis and insights for these three key matches.
- 2026 World Cup Group Stage Round 1, Group I / Kickoff at 02:00 (17 June Thailand time)
France is competing in their 18th World Cup, aiming for a third title after losing to Argentina on penalties in the previous final. They topped Group D in qualifying with 5 wins and 1 draw, remaining unbeaten. In four warm-up games this year, they won 3 and lost 1 to Ivory Coast 1-2 before redeeming themselves with a 3-1 win over Northern Ireland. This match may see the return of key defenders William Saliba and Jules Koundé from injury, alongside star attackers Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembélé, and Kylian Mbappé (56 goals), who is close to surpassing Olivier Giroud (57 goals) as France's all-time top scorer if he scores 2 more goals.
Senegal is preparing for their 4th World Cup appearance, having reached the quarter-finals in their first in 2002. They surprisingly defeated defending champions France 1-0 in that opener. This time, they qualified by winning Group B in Africa with 7 wins, 3 draws, and no losses. In 13 matches across all competitions, they have 8 wins, 2 draws, and 3 losses, but failed to win their last two warm-up games (a 2-3 loss to the USA and a 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia). Sadio Mané, who missed the last World Cup due to injury, is fit and leads the team along with Ilyas Ndiaye, Ismaila Sarr, and Nicholas Jackson. However, France's more complete squad is expected to prevail.
Match Prediction France will narrowly defeat Senegal.
- 2026 World Cup Group Stage Round 1, Group I / Kickoff at 05:00 (17 June Thailand time)
Iraq returns to the World Cup for the first time in 40 years after edging Bolivia 2-1 in an intercontinental playoff. Since Graham Arnold became coach, they have won 9 of their last 16 matches (3 draws, 4 losses). Their warm-up games showed a surprise 1-1 draw against Spain but a 0-2 loss to Venezuela. This match may feature Port FC defender Rebin Sulaka in the starting lineup, alongside notable players Zidan Iqbal, Aimen Hussein, Ali Al Hamadi, and Ali Jassim.
Norway makes its 4th World Cup appearance after a 28-year absence. Their qualifying performance was dominant with 8 straight wins, scoring 37 goals and conceding only 5, topping Group I six points ahead of Italy. In four recent friendlies, they lost to the Netherlands, drew with Switzerland, beat Sweden, and drew with Morocco. This match will see Norway field their full-strength squad led by star striker Erling Haaland, supported by Alexander Sørloth, Antonio Nusa, and Martin Ødegaard. Norway is expected to comfortably beat Iraq.
Match Prediction Norway will comfortably defeat Iraq.
- 2026 World Cup Group Stage Round 1, Group J / Kickoff at 08:00 (17 June Thailand time)
Defending champions Argentina enter their 19th World Cup, aiming for a 4th title after finishing top of the South American qualifiers with 12 wins, 2 draws, and 4 losses. After a 0-1 loss to Ecuador in their final qualifier, Argentina won 7 consecutive warm-up games, scoring 21 and conceding only 1. In their last 13 matches, they lost only once (with 11 wins and 1 draw). Against African teams in their last 6 games, Argentina has won every match. Captain Lionel Messi is ready to start, supported by Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister, Lisandro Martínez, and goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, recently recovered from a finger injury.
Algeria returns to the World Cup for the 5th time since 2014, having qualified as winners of Group G in Africa with 8 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss. This year, they lost only once in six games, in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals to Nigeria 0-2, while keeping clean sheets in the other five matches (4 wins, 1 draw). Their warm-ups included surprising wins over the Netherlands 1-0 and a 4-0 rout of Bolivia. However, they are likely to miss Rami Bensebaini due to an ankle injury. Despite stars Riyad Mahrez, Ryan At-Nouri, Oussama Aouar, Mohamed Amoura, and Amin Guiri, Algeria looks outmatched by Argentina's stronger lineup and may narrowly lose.
Match Prediction Argentina will narrowly defeat Algeria.