Football tips for 22 Jun 2026: analysis of 3 matches in the 2026 World Cup, today's football schedule.
On 22 June 2026, football tips continue with three prominent teams in the 2026 World Cup, featuring star players. Leading are two title favorites: defending champions Argentina and runners-up France, along with Norway. Here's the analysis and football predictions for these three key matches.
- 2026 World Cup Group J, Round 1, Matchday 2 / Kickoff at 00:00 (23 June Thai time).
Defending champions Argentina begin their 19th World Cup campaign seeking a fourth title, after a 3-0 victory over Algeria with a Lionel Messi hat trick. The "Albiceleste" have won eight consecutive matches, including friendlies, scoring 24 goals and conceding only one. In their last 14 games, they lost just once (12 wins, 1 draw). They might rest right-back Gonzalo Montiel, injured with a hamstring issue, replacing him with Nahuel Molina. The rest of the squad, including Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, and Lautaro Martinez, are ready to play.
Austria make their eighth World Cup appearance and first in 28 years, opening with a 3-1 win over Jordan. Coach Ralf Rangnick's team remains unbeaten in six matches (5 wins, 1 draw), conceding more than one goal in only one of their last 18 games. They aim to reach the knockout stage for the first time since 1982 but have never beaten Argentina in two friendlies (a 1-5 loss and a 1-1 draw). They may move Konrad Laimer to right-back to replace Stefan Posch, who is sidelined with a jaw injury. Carney Chukwuemeka is expected to support the attack alongside Marcel Sabitzer, Sasa Kaladzic, or Marko Arnautovic, but Argentina still holds the advantage in quality.
Match Prediction Argentina narrowly beats Austria.
- 2026 World Cup Group I, Round 1, Matchday 2 / Kickoff at 04:00 (23 June Thai time).
France starts their 18th World Cup and bids for a third title after a 3-1 late win over Senegal. Kylian Mbappé (58 goals) broke Olivier Giroud's (57 goals) record as the nation's all-time top scorer. France have lost only one of their last seven matches (winning six). A win here guarantees progression. Possible changes include swapping left-back Theo Hernandez for Lucas Digne, replacing central midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni with Manu Koné, and switching left winger Désiré Doué for Bradley Barcola. The attacking trio of Mbappé, Michael Olise, and Ousmane Dembélé remains unchanged.
Iraq, in their second World Cup in 40 years, suffered a heavy 1-4 loss to Norway and have lost two of their last three matches. Despite a 1-1 friendly draw with Spain, another defeat here means elimination. Facing France, unbeaten in past encounters, makes earning points very difficult. Positives include Iraq scoring in nine of their last 11 matches. Ali Jassim returns fit after injury to join top scorer Aimen Hussein, Ali Al-Hamadi, and Zidan Iqbal. Goalkeeper Ahmed Basil may replace Jalal Hassan, who struggled in the first match. However, survival looks unlikely.
Match Prediction France comfortably defeats Iraq.
- 2026 World Cup Group I, Round 1, Matchday 2 / Kickoff at 07:00 (23 June Thai time).
Norway returns to the World Cup for the first time in 28 years, winning 4-1 against Iraq and leading Group I. Though they have conceded only once in their last eight matches and remain unbeaten in their last four (2 wins, 2 draws), they lost once to Senegal 1-2 in a 2006 friendly. Right and left backs Julian Ryerson and David Møller Wolfe, slightly injured, are expected to start alongside stars Erling Haaland, Alexander Sørloth, Antonio Nusa, and Martin Ødegaard.
Senegal, in their fourth World Cup, began with a 1-3 loss to France and have now gone three matches without a win. They lost friendlies 2-3 to the USA and drew 0-0 with Saudi Arabia, though previously winning 8, drawing 2, and losing 3 of 13 recent matches. Without a win against Norway, this would be their first four-match winless streak since June 2018. Ibrahim Mbaye, an 18-year-old who scored against France, may start in place of Ismaila Sarr, joining Nicolas Jackson, Sadio Mané, and Lamine Camara. Based on recent form, Norway appears slightly stronger and likely to edge the win.
Match Prediction Norway narrowly defeats Senegal.