Day 6 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup delivers one of the most anticipated slates of the entire group stage, with Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland all set to make their tournament debuts on Tuesday. France opens against Senegal at New York New Jersey Stadium, Argentina begins its title defense against Algeria in Kansas City, and Norway introduces Haaland to the World Cup stage against Iraq in Boston. All four of Tuesday’s matches air live on FOX and stream on FOX One.
Here’s everything you need to know about today’s World Cup schedule, including game times, TV channels and where to watch.
Player to Watch – Kylian Mbappé: Regarded as one of the best players of his generation (ranked No. 2 in our Top World Cup Players), the French striker is on the shortlist for most experts to win the World Cups Golden Ball, Golden Boot, or both. The common criticism of Mbappé in recent years has been his scoring efficiency, as he has been wasteful with many of his opportunities despite still scoring goals in droves. This was the case in Frances two friendlies prior to the World Cup. He had six shots against Northern Ireland and did not score. Against the Ivory Coast, he only had one shot that was saved.Â
Mbappé could use a strong start at this World Cup to get into a rhythm for the knockout stages. But if he continues to go games without scoring, frustration could set in.
Player to Watch – Erling Haaland: With how good Haaland, 25, has been at the club level, he will finally have the opportunity to play in a major international tournament with Norway, like his father, Alf-Inge HÃ¥land, did for Norway at the 1994 World Cup in the United States. Haaland (ranked No. 6 in our Top World Cup Players) was the top goalscorer in UEFA World Cup qualifying with 16 goals, and he now enters this tournament as a contender for the Golden Boot.Â
Norway has elite players but is not particularly deep. For the team to make a deep run, its star players will have to play well and that starts with Haaland.Â
Player to Watch – Lionel Messi: As one of the legendary players of all time, Messi will earn his 200th cap for Argentina when he plays in this game. He has won the domestic league for each of his clubs: Barcelona, Paris Saint0Germain, and Inter Miami. He has won the World Cup, the Copa América, the Olympics, the U-20 World Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup.Â
At age 38, Messi is fighting Father Time in impressive fashion (ranked No. 16 in our Top World Cup Players). All eyes will be on him to see how he begins what could likely be his final major international tournament.Â
Player to Watch – Marko ArnautoviÄ: In a World Cup that features many aging stars, such as Lionel Messi, Luka ModriÄ, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Edin Džeko, ArnautoviÄ remains undisputed leader of Austrias attack at age 37. Now wit
