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A Group A decider headlines a loaded opening week
Both winners on day one, Mexico and South Korea meet for top spot in Group A — and the rest of the opening week is just as stacked.
Clinch Desk · Sat, Jun 13
The World Cup's opening week shifts into high gear. As every group works through its first matches, the slate is packed with contenders, dark horses and the debuts of first-time qualifiers. Here are the matches worth circling.
One of the standout fixtures comes on June 18 in Guadalajara, where hosts Mexico face South Korea. Both won their openers, so this has the feel of a Group A decider: the winner moves a big step closer to the Round of 32, and topping the group can mean a kinder knockout path. You can track the live standings and every qualification scenario on our Group A page.
The favourites are in action too. Defending champions Argentina begin against Algeria on June 16, while Spain meet World Cup debutants Cape Verde on June 15 — a historic occasion for the newcomers and a potential banana skin for a heavyweight.
Another eye-catching tie lands on June 14, when Japan take on the Netherlands — Asia's well-drilled side against a European mainstay. Add the three hosts — the USA, Canada and Mexico — making their home bows, and the opening week rarely pauses for breath.
Find exact kick-off times (auto-converted to your time zone) and the full slate on our schedule page, and the live group standings and scenarios on each group page. Results and tables update automatically as soon as matches finish.