Six important clashes will take place in the penultimate round of the group stage of the 2026 World Cup, scheduled for this Friday (26). Among the most prominent clashes on the schedule are the games between Uruguay and Spain, as well as Norway against France, which will decide the leaders of Groups H and I, respectively. In Group G, the Belgium team faces New Zealand in a crucial match for its stay in the tournament.
Complete schedule of World Cup games this Friday
Check out the duel times and options for watching live below:
- 4pm – Norway x France
Where to watch: TV Globo, sportv, Globoplay, ge.globo and CazéTV
- 4pm – Senegal x Iraq
Where to watch: CazéTV
- 9pm – Cape Verde x Saudi Arabia
Where to watch: sportv2, Globoplay and CazéTV
- 9pm – Uruguay x Spain
Where to watch: TV Globo, sportv, getv, Globoplay, ge.globo, SBT, NSports and CazéTV
- 00h – Egypt x Iran
Where to watch: TV Globo, sportv, Globoplay, ge.globo and CazéTV
- 00h – New Zealand x Belgium
Where to watch: CazéTV
Clash of giants: Norway x France open the round in Boston
The day’s series of matches begins with a heavyweight clash. Norway and France face each other in the city of Boston, competing for first place in Group I. On one side, Erling Haaland; on the other, Kylian Mbappé. Led by their main talents, both teams won their first two matches and have already secured their place in the knockout stage. France has an advantage on goal difference, only needing a draw to secure the lead.
Brazilian fans are also closely following the results of this group. The second-placed team could cross the path of the Seleção in the round of 16, a scenario that historically increases the complexity for South American teams in the knockout stages of World Cups. Whoever finishes at the top of the group will be on the opposite side of the bracket, and can only meet Brazil in a possible final — even though Germany could be an opponent in the round of 16.
In the other Group I clash, Senegal and Iraq face off in Toronto, Canada, with the aim of winning one of the places allocated to the eight best third-placed teams. The teams, who were defeated in the first two rounds, need victory to keep their qualifying chances alive. In addition to the three points, a favorable goal difference can be decisive.
Historic meeting: Spain x Uruguay compete for leadership
At night, Spain and Uruguay will star in the only clash between world champions in this initial phase of the World Cup. The teams face each other in Guadalajara, Mexico, in Group H, seeking a triumph that ensures both classification and leadership, without depending on other results.
With young Lamine Yamal in the spotlight, Spain leads the group with four points, closely followed by Uruguay, which has two. A draw could be enough for Fúria to guarantee first place, as long as Cape Verde, also with two points, does not manage to beat Saudi Arabia, who has just one point, in the other duel in the group, which takes place simultaneously in Houston.
The four teams in the group reach the last round with a chance of advancing. Spain is already classified and is focusing on leadership. Uruguay and Cape Verde need to at least draw to guarantee at least third place, or support the other to reach second place. Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, depends exclusively on a victory to continue dreaming of the knockout stage.
Belgium looking for rehabilitation and place in the round of 16
At the end of the round, the Belgium team, under pressure, faces New Zealand in Vancouver, in the final round of Group G. After draws with Egypt and Iran in the initial two matches, the European team accumulated just two points and occupies third place in the group. To avoid depending on third party results, the Belgians need to beat the All Whites and confirm their classification for the round of 16.
A new draw could still keep Belgium with a chance of qualifying, but the place will depend on the outcome of the other duel in the group. In Seattle, Egypt and Iran face each other in a game that will define the leadership of the group. With four points, the Egyptians can secure first place with a draw, while the Iranians, who have two points, need victory to overcome their opponents.
Like Belgium, Iran can also qualify with an equal score, but this will depend on the tiebreaker criteria and the results of the other groups. New Zealand, even with just one point and at the bottom of the group, guarantees qualification with a simple victory over Belgium.