+ Group J: Argentina–Austria, Monday, 7:00 PM
Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Texas
SVT2/P4 Radio Sport
+ Messi in conflict with Argentine media
Lionel Messi thundered into the World Cup with a hat-trick in the 3-0 win over Algeria, but the aftermath has been more about Messi's tears. The superstar broke down in tears after the 1-0 goal and Argentine media reported that it was because his father, Jorge, is ill. Speculation about his father's health has thrown the Messi family into a frenzy. In a letter to news site Olé, they wrote, among other things, that "the family wishes to express its deep discomfort at the lack of consideration, respect and discretion that certain individuals have shown in the handling of a strictly private family matter."
They also said that Jorge Messi is in a "health-related situation" but is making good progress. The supposed group decider against Austria will show whether Lionel Messi can shake off the media fray and push himself to the top as the World Cup's all-time top scorer, where he is currently tied with Germany's Miroslav Klose.
+ Group I: France–Iraq, Monday, 11:00 PM
Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
SVT1/P4 Radio Sport
+ The Swedes are chasing Iraq's first World Cup points
In the Iraqi national team, there are no fewer than six players with Swedish roots. Amir Al-Ammari, born in Jönköping, Kevin Yakob, born in Gothenburg, Aimar Sher, raised in Stockholm, Hussein Ali, born in Malmö, Rebin Sulaka, raised in Eskilstuna, and Ahmed Qasem, raised in Motala. Two of them, Ahmed Qasem and Hussein Ali, got playing time in the 1–4 loss to Norway.
Iraq now continues to chase its first-ever World Cup points as Group I enters the second round. But the opposition is about as tough as it gets when the favourites, France, with a red-hot Kylian Mbappé in the team, are on the other side.
+ Group I: Norway–Senegal, Tuesday, 2:00 AM
New York New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
SVT1/P4 Radio Sport
+ Thunderstorms threaten the match
A worrying low-pressure system is expected to settle over New Jersey just in time for Norway to take on Senegal. According to forecasts from Norwegian YR, it will be 25 degrees, with high humidity and a risk of heavy rain showers and thunderstorms during the match. Ahead of the World Cup, the International Football Association (FIFA), together with American authorities, have decided that matches will be stopped for at least half an hour if lightning strikes within a 13-kilometre radius of the stadium.
There is a risk of a pause or delay, given the current forecast, says Patrick Stoll at the Norwegian Meteorological Institute to Nettavisen.
+ Group J: Jordan–Algeria, Tuesday, 5:00 AM
San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, Santa Clara, California
TV4
+ Win or lose
Both Jordan, 1–3 against Austria, and Algeria, 0–3 against Argentina, suffered heavy defeats in the opening round. Now it's basically win or lose for both teams. The team that loses the match is out of the tournament, while the winner still has a chance at the round of 32. There is a lot of talk that it could be an attack-oriented match when the "Desert Foxes" (Algeria) face the "Royals" (Jordan) on Tuesday morning.
