+ Group I: France–Senegal, Tuesday, 9:00 p.m., MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey.
SVT/Radio Sport.
+ Criticism of Mbappé “has gone too far”
Kylian Mbappé has been criticized both for Real Madrid's weak, titleless season and for how he conducts himself as France's team captain.
He is defended by the other big star Ousmane Dembélé, who told Marca:
The criticism against him is unfair. He is an incredible player and a very good person off the pitch. Whether he ties his shoelaces or not, whether he has his socks on or not, it's just too much.
+ Group I: Iraq-Norway, Wednesday, 00:00, Boston Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts.
TV4/Radio Sport.
+ Norway's first World Cup match in 28 years
Norway has been waiting a long time for this - in more ways than one. It is the first time in 28 years that the nation has qualified for the Men's World Cup. Norway arrived at its base in Greensboro, North Carolina, on June 3 and has - in addition to training - passed the time with golf games and visits to the fifth Stanley Cup final between Carolina and Vegas.
Norway has played in three World Cups and at best reached the round of 16 - now hopes are high thanks to stars like top scorer Erling Braut Haaland and Martin Ødegaard, team captain of Premier League champion Arsenal.
+ Group J: Argentina-Algeria, Wednesday at 03:00, Kansas City Stadium, Missouri.
TV4.
+ Messi has high hopes
Messi lifted the World Cup trophy after the final victory over France in Qatar 2022. Now the 38-year-old star is making his sixth World Cup - a record shared with Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo.
Messi has recovered from his muscle injury and came on and scored a penalty in Argentina's World Cup qualifier against Iceland in Alabama on June 10.
"We have high expectations, as always. This is a real winning team that always wants more," Messi told ESPN after a practice session.
+ Group J: Austria–Jordan, Wednesday 6:00 a.m., San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, Santa Clara, California.
TV4.
+ Sleepy morning for Jordan supporters
Supporters of several nations have had a tough time getting visas to the United States, and World Cup debutant Jordan is no exception.
When the war between the U.S. and Iran started, the U.S. embassy in Amman closed to non-U.S. citizens.
For those following the World Cup from home, however, the government has approved an extra morning of sleep for those working in the public sector. They can start at 10 a.m. instead of 8:30 a.m. the day after the three group stage matches.
Jordan's big star is team captain Mousa al-Tamari. The midfielder is the only one in the squad to play in a major European league. He scored seven goals and provided 11 assists for Rennes in Ligue 1 last season. He is nicknamed "Jordan's Messi," according to Al Jazeera.
