#世界杯🏆2026 June 17 World Cup Predictions: Four Decisive Matches, Who Will Survive the "Group of Death"?
June 17, 2026 · Preview of the First Round of the USA-Canada-Mexico World Cup Group Stage
First, the conclusion: This night, the strength is clear, but danger lurks beneath
On June 17, the first round of four group matches, three seem "clearly divided in strength," one is a true "battle of death."
Core predictions:
🇫🇷 France 2-1 Senegal — Win, but not easily
🇮🇶 Iraq 0-3 Norway — Haaland’s debut celebration
🇦🇷 Argentina 2-0 Algeria — A steady start for the defending champions
🇦🇹 Austria 2-1 Jordan — A narrow victory for the European powerhouse
Match One: France vs Senegal — 24 years of rivalry, settled tonight
Match time: Beijing time June 17, 03:00
Match location: MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, USA
FIFA ranking: France 3rd vs Senegal 14th
History repeats: The nightmare of 2002. In the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup, also the first round of the group stage, Senegal shocked France 1-0, marking the fall of the defending champion. 24 years later, fate brings these two teams together again in the World Cup opener. History doesn’t simply repeat, but it often rhymes.
France: How far can Deschamps’ "pragmatism" go? France’s last 10 matches: 8 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss, with 25 goals scored and 9 conceded, an 80% win rate. But there are many hidden issues:
① Defensive coordination problems — 7 goals conceded in the last 5 warm-up matches
② Midfield creativity reliance — Griezmann is aging, Chouaméni is more defensive
③ Mbappé’s "loneliness" — lacks a second scoring option when closely marked
Senegal: Resilience of the African champions Senegal’s last 10 matches: 6 wins, 3 draws, 1 loss, with 16 goals scored and 6 conceded. Key player: Sadio Mané (34) — speed, dribbling, passing, the biggest threat on counterattacks. Tactical style: 5-4-1 bus formation, all-out defense, waiting for counterattack opportunities.
Prediction: France 2-1, a tough win. France has the advantage in strength, but Senegal’s counterattack threat cannot be underestimated. France leads at halftime, Senegal scores a goal in the second half, but France narrowly wins in the end.
Match Two: Iraq vs Norway — Haaland’s "Massacre Show"?
Match time: Beijing time June 17, 06:00
Match location: Gillette Stadium, Boston, USA
FIFA ranking: Iraq 55th vs Norway 31st
On paper strength: Huge gap. Iraq vs Norway. Iraq’s FIFA ranking: 55th. Norway’s: 31st. Total team value: about 8 million euros vs 601 million euros. Key players: No stars from the top five leagues, Haaland + Ødegaard. World Cup experience: Iraq participated once in 1986, Norway in 1998. The gap in value: 75 times. This isn’t a match; it’s an "open class."
Iraq: Iron-blooded army emerging from war-torn lands Iraq is the last team to qualify for this World Cup, narrowly beating Bolivia 2-1 in the intercontinental playoff.
Features: Disciplined defense, strong physical confrontation, lack of creativity.
Quote: Iraq’s story has touched the world, but on the football field, emotion cannot be used as a score.
Norway: Haaland’s "Revenge Tour" Norway returns to the World Cup after 28 years.
Qualifiers: 8 wins, 37 goals scored, 5 conceded, showing terrifying attacking firepower.
Key players: Erling Haaland — the most dominant striker today Martin Ødegaard — Arsenal captain, Norway’s "brain"
Prediction: Iraq 0-3 Norway, Haaland scores twice, Norway’s attack is too strong for Iraq’s defense. Haaland scores two in the first half, Norway adds another in the second half to seal the victory.
Match Three: Argentina vs Algeria — The reigning champions’ "Steady Start"
Match time: Beijing time June 17, 09:00
Match location: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
FIFA ranking: Argentina 1st vs Algeria (African powerhouse)
Argentina: Confidence of the defending champions Argentina is the 2022 Qatar World Cup champion and a top favorite this tournament.
Core question: Is Messi still here? Multiple media reports suggest Messi may start. At 38, Messi remains the soul of the team.
Hidden issues: Uncertainty after Messi, slow start habits, aging defense.
Algeria: Mysterious team Key player: Riyad Mahrez — long-time Manchester City player, experienced.
Tactical style: 4-3-3 attacking formation, proactive offense rather than all-out defense.
Head coach Pékékovic: “Will not develop a special plan against Messi, aiming for a clean sheet against Argentina.”
Prediction: Argentina 2-0 Algeria, a steady start. Argentina’s strength is superior, Algeria is hard to threaten. Messi provides an assist in the first half, Argentina scores again in the second half to secure the win.
Match Four: Austria vs Jordan — European powerhouse’s "Narrow Victory"
Match time: Beijing time June 17, 12:00
Match location: Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area, USA
FIFA ranking: Austria 24th vs Jordan 53rd
Austria: Return after 28 years Austria returns to the World Cup after 28 years.
Recent form: 8 qualifiers: 6 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss; warm-up matches: 5-1 over Ghana, 1-0 over South Korea.
Key players: Arnautović (36), Alaba, Sabitzer.
Jordan: "Miracle journey" of the new World Cup team Jordan’s first-ever qualification for the World Cup. 2023 Asian Cup: reached the final, runner-up.
Key player: Musa Tamari — plays for Rennes in Ligue 1, valued at about 3.5 million euros.
Prediction: Austria 2-1 Jordan, a narrow win. Austria’s strength is superior, but Jordan’s defense resilience is notable. Austria leads at halftime, Jordan scores in the second half, but Austria ultimately wins narrowly.