News Focus
- The 2026 tournament expands to 104 total matches, creating a packed schedule for fans
- Barney Ronay from The Guardian selects the unmissable group stage fixtures
- Expect classic David versus Goliath encounters between football giants and minnows
- Several matches carry significant political undertones beyond just sport
- Star attractions include five-time champions Brazil and Norway’s Erling Haaland
The 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America promises to be the biggest tournament in history. For the first time, fans will watch 104 matches instead of the usual 64. This expansion means more teams, more action, and sadly, more confusion about which games matter most.
Barney Ronay, the chief sports writer at The Guardian, has sorted through this massive fixture list. He has picked out the group stage matches that every supporter needs to see. His choices range from historic minnows taking on superpowers to clashes loaded with political tension.
Brazil, the five-time champions, feature heavily in these must-watch selections. Fans can also look forward to watching Erling Haaland lead Norway’s attack on the world stage. The tournament format may have grown, but these fixtures offer the pure drama that defines World Cup football.