World Cup predictions: Expert picks for every game today
It's Monday, June 22 at the World Cup , where another four games are set to kick off across Group I and Group J, and USA TODAY's soccer experts have locked in their picks and analysis for all the action.
The 2026 World Cup is the largest ever, and USA TODAY is going all in with reporters on the ground in all 16 host cities across three countries to cover 48 teams vying for the trophy. Get our World Cup: Extra Time newsletter in your inbox every morning and join our WhatsApp channel to get the latest updates right in your texts.
All games are being broadcast in the United States on Fox and FS1. Matches will also be broadcast in Spanish throughout the entirety of the World Cup on Telemundo and streaming on Peacock .
Let's get to the picks.
All times Eastern and accurate as of Sunday, June 21, 2026, at 9:22 p.m.
Argentina vs. Austria
Time/TV: 1:00 PM, Fox
Lionel Messi looks for an encore performance on Monday, June 22 when Argentina faces Austria in World Cup Group J. Messi scored an incredible hat trick in Argentina's 3-0 win over Algeria to open the tournament, showing the defending champion is a real contender to repeat. The 38-year-old advanced to 16 career World Cup goals, tying Miroslav Klose for the all-time men's record. Now the scene shifts to Arlington, Texas, where Austria will be tasked with slowing down the high-powered Argentine attack.
Playing its first World Cup since 1998, Austria got off to a great start by defeating Jordan 3-1 at Levi's Stadium last week. This will only be the third all-time meeting between the teams, and the first since they played out a 1-1 draw in a 1990 friendly.
Seth Vertelney: Argentina 2-1 Austria
Argentina will have a tougher time with Austria than it did Algeria, and it can't count on a Messi hat trick every game. Still, the champs should have enough to secure all three points.
Jon Arnold: Argentina 3-0 Austria
Austria tries to stay faithful to its tactics, but it doesn't work against Lionel Messi and Co. - though another player gets in on the goals this time around.
Jesse Yomtov: Argentina 3-1 Austria
Lionel Messi and Argentina will notch another complete performance and earn three points.
Victoria Hernandez: Argentina 3 - 1 Austria
Argentina continues its dominance, but Austria has one shining moment.
France vs. Iraq
Time/TV: 5:00 PM, Fox
France and Iraq meet at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Monday, June 22, the second World Cup group match for both teams.
The French notched a 3-1 victory over Senegal in their opener, getting two goals from Kylian Mbappe and a first World Cup goal for Bradley Barcola. Meanwhile, Iraq was beaten 4-1 by Norway in the nations first World Cup game since 1986, marking only its second qualification in history.
The match in Philadelphia marks the first-ever international meeting between the two teams.
Seth Vertelney: France 4-0 Iraq
Iraq can only hope France is complacent like it was against Senegal in the first half. But as we saw in the second half, this team has too much firepower to be denied.
Jon Arnold: France 4-0 Iraq
Motivitated to keep pouring it on for goal difference, France smashes an Iraq team that may have contended to go through in any other group.
Jesse Yomtov: France 3-0 Iraq
Kylian Mbappe scores another goal or two as the French pick up another three points.
Victoria Hernandez: France 5-0 Iraq
France is flying high right now and will show no mercy as it tries to lock its own place in the Round of 32.
Norway vs. Senegal
Time/TV: 8:00 PM, Fox
Norway and Senegal clash at MetLife Stadium on June 22 in a key contest to determine which teams will advance and in which spots for what looks like tone of the toughest groups in the World Cup.
The game sees one of the tournaments most exciting attacks come up against a staunch defense - albeit a Senegal team that couldn't deny a top star in a 3-1 loss to Kylian Mbappe's France. Norway had a dream start to its first World Cup campaign since 1998 with Erling Haaland scoring a double in a 4-1 victory over Iraq.
The concerns for Norway never have been up top, however. This game will be the first real test for the Scandinavians back line as Sadio Mané and Ibrahim Mbaye prepare to run at Norway and try to match what Haaland and Martin Ødegaard do going forward. Senegal will hope the defense that paced it to the African Cup of Nations title (later revoked in a boardroom in a continuing off-field saga) will be able to slow if not shut down the top attackers and give its own forward players a chance to get all three points after stumbling out of the blocks against tournament favorite France.
Seth Vertelney: Norway 1-1 Senegal
Senegal is a major step up for Norway, which won't be able to handle the Lions of Teranga as easily as it did Iraq.
Jon Arnold: Norway 2-2 Senegal
This has the makings of a thriller as the high-octane Norway attack comes up against the Wall of Senegal defense. I'm looking for a scoring draw.
Jesse Yomtov: Norway 3-2 Senegal
Expect some goals in this one, but Erling Haaland's side will come out on top.
Victoria Hernandez: Norway 2-1 Senegal
Norway is feeling good after a dominant opener, but will slow down a bit against Senegal, who was battle tested against France.
Jordan vs. Algeria
Time/TV: 11:00 PM, FS1
Algeria takes on Jordan for each team's second match of Group J in the World Cup. The fixture will take place on Monday, June 22 at Levi's Stadium in the Bay Area.
Each team lost their opening match of the tournament. Algeria happened to play defending champion Argentina and was handed a 3-0 loss thanks to Lionel Messi's first World Cup hat trick. Jordan lost 3-1 to Austria. Ali Olwan scored their lone goal. Algeria and Jordan are at the bottom of the Group J standings equal in points. Jordan has a slight edge due to its single goal.
The top two teams of each group will advance to the Round of 32 as well as the top eight third-place teams.
Seth Vertelney: Jordan 1-2 Algeria
Algeria has plenty of talent and had its moments against Argentina before getting overwhemed by Messi. A matchup with Jordan is a great chance to pick up three points and get right back in the mix for advancement.
Jon Arnold: Jordan 0-2 Algeria
It's a great opportunity for Algeria to bounce back and show that opening loss was more about Argentina's quality than their lack of it.
Jesse Yomtov: Jordan 0-3 Algeria
Algeria bounces back from the loss to Argentina with a victory in its second match.
Victoria Hernandez: Jordan 0-2 Algeria
Algeria was unlucky to play Argentina in its opener. They show what they're really capable of here.
World Cup match odds on June 22
World Cup standings
Explore live group standings, stats and the updated bracket with USA TODAY Sports here.
World Cup key dates
- Group Stage: June 11-June 27
- Round of 32 : June 28-July 3
- Round of 16 : July 4-7
- Quarterfinals : July 9-11
- Semifinals : July 14-15
- Third-place game : July 18 (Miami Gardens, Florida)
- Final : July 19 (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
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