+ 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 his 1–0 goal and Argentine media reported that it was because his father, Jorge, is ill. Speculation about his father's health has sent the Messi family into a frenzy. In a letter to the news site Olé, they wrote, among other things, that "the family would like to express its deep discomfort at the lack of consideration, respect and discretion that certain people have shown in handling a strictly private family matter". They also wrote that Jorge Messi is in a "health-related situation" but that he is making good progress. The supposed group final against Austria will show whether Lionel Messi can shake off the media row and move alone 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
Iraq's national team features 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. Now Iraq continues to chase the country's first ever World Cup points as Group I enters the second round. But the opposition is about as tough as it gets when pre-tournament favorite France, with a red-hot Kylian Mbappé in the team, is 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 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 around 25 degrees Celsius, with high humidity and a risk of heavy rain showers and thunderstorms during the match. Ahead of the World Cup, FIFA, together with U.S. authorities, has decided that matches will be stopped for at least half an hour if lightning strikes within a 13-kilometer radius of the stadium.
"There is a risk of a pause or delay given the current forecast," says Patrick Stoll of 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 essentially win-or-go-home for both teams. The team that loses the match will be eliminated from the tournament, while the winner still has a chance at the round of 32. There is talk that it could be an attack-oriented match when the "Desert Foxes" (Algeria) clash with the "Royals" (Jordan) on Tuesday morning.
