Written by Brett Grega
Edited 06/11/2026
The World Cup arrives at AT&T Stadium on June 14th, and we have your preview for all of the group play action!
Some amazing squads will square off right here in DFW with the hopes of earning their way into the round of 32 and beyond. Soccer fans in Dallas will have the chance to see the legendary Lionel Messi lead the defending champs, Argentina, into battle. Virgil Van Dijk once again captains a highly competitive Netherlands team as well. Harry Kane and England similarly look to make waves in the tournament in a fierce matchup against an experienced Croatia.
Read on for a look at all the big games heading our way for the World Cup!
Photo via the AT&T Stadium Website
Sunday, June 14th at 3:00 PM
The tournament kicks off in DFW with a highly competitive Group F matchup between the current FIFA 8th-ranked squad, the Netherlands, and 18th-ranked Japan. The Netherlands enters the World Cup on the heels of an undefeated qualifying run that saw them post a +23 goal difference.
Led by star defender Virgil Van Dijk, who set the captaincy record for the nation, this team looks to take home the World Cup after falling just short in the finals on three occasions, most recently in 2010. With even more stars like Barcelona’s Frenkie De Jong and the nation’s all-time leading scorer, Memphis Depay, also continuing their national team experiences, it’s clear why the Netherlands earned its top 10 FIFA ranking.
On the opposite side of the pitch, Japan was the first non-host nation to qualify for the World Cup. The team became the first Asian nation to qualify for eight consecutive World Cups in the process. With round-of-16 finishes across the last two World Cups, which included wins over perpetual powerhouses Germany and Spain in 2022, this squad’s track record of success is growing by the year. Add in a big international friendly win over England back in March, and it’s clear that this team is ready to cause a ruckus in this tournament.
Japan is known for its aggressive pressing and relentless pace. The Guardian highlights stars like Takefusa Kubo, who at one point was labeled the “Japanese Messi,” and 2025-26 Netherlands’ first tier league Golden Boot Winner Ayase Ueda as just a couple of the players in this deep Japanese squad to watch during the tournament.
Wednesday, June 17th at 3:00 PM
This is a true battle of goliaths in what could be the defining match in Group L. England enters the tournament with a top-5 FIFA ranking, coming in at fourth. The nation finished second in the 2024 UEFA Euro to Spain and earned a quarterfinal slot in the 2022 World Cup. England is captained by the nation’s all-time leading scorer, Harry Kane, and features a devastatingly talented lineup filled with EPL and international superstars like Real Madrid’s young sensation, Jude Bellingham.
New to the team this time around, former Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain coach Thomas Tuchel will be helming England for his first World Cup in charge of the national squad. ESPN noted that Tuchel has made “some bold decisions” in constructing England’s 26-man roster, with household names like Harry Maguire missing out on a spot. This team is stacked with talent regardless, making them an obvious early tournament contender.
Tuchel’s team will take on a highly experienced Croatia that features a pair of returning superstars. That includes Croatia’s captain and 2018 Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric, the only player to win the award besides Messi and Ronaldo between 2008 and 2021. The extraordinarily decorated Ivan Perisic also rejoins a squad that finished third in the 2022 World Cup and second in 2018.
Basically, don’t let that 11th ranking fool you. The stars of this team may be getting older, but their track record of success is absolutely undeniable. It’s little wonder why Rotowire listed Croatia and England as the two teams likely to emerge from group play.
Monday, June 22nd at 12:00 PM
Group J is headlined by the reigning and defending champions, Argentina. Although no team has won back-to-back World Cups since Brazil did it in 1958 and 1962, there’s also no one quite like Lionel Messi to lead a historic tournament run. Messi’s achievements put him in the top echelon of athletes across any sport, from all-time LaLiga scoring and assist records to 8 Ballon d’Or awards and so much more.
The champs appropriately enter the Cup as FIFA’s top-ranked squad. In fact, a University of Redding simulation named Argentina as the tournament favorites, according to the BBC. With young stars like Nico Paz already on the squad to join the ageless Messi, it’s easy to see why this team could be poised to make history yet again.
24th-ranked Austria will be opposing Argentina in what will be the second Cup match for both teams. CBS Sports sees this as a collision between eventual group leaders as well, even going as far as predicting a draw in the match.
This will be the first World Cup appearance since 1998 for Austria. Legendary long-time Bundesliga club manager Ralf Rangnick is helming the team. The Athletic states that Rangnick is credited with the nation’s return to global prominence on the international soccer stage. The site’s preview for the squad spotlights Austria’s high-pressure attacking style and several key late additions to the team like young PSV midfielder Paul Wanner. Austria also topped their group stage in the 2024 UEFA Euro, earning a win over the Netherlands and besting France in the group competition. All in all, that makes this matchup one of the biggest to watch in DFW!
Thursday, June 25th at 6:00 PM
Group F wraps up with the final match for both Japan and Sweden on the 25th. While fans will be familiar with The Samurai Blue’s squad full of international talent following their opening match in the Metroplex against the Netherlands, Sweden will be making its DFW debut.
Sweden is helmed by Graham Potter, an experienced and oft-embattled EPL coach who managed the likes of Chelsea and, most recently, West Ham United. The 38th-ranked team experienced a rocky qualification, but don’t confuse their path to the World Cup with a lack of talent. In fact, Sweden has a pair of elite strikers leading the way in Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres and Liverpool’s Alexander Isak. With 14 goals on the season, Gyokeres alone finished in the top-10 in Premier League scoring in the 2025-26 campaign on the way to helping Arsenal secure the league crown. When combined alongside Japan’s pressing and versatile attack, offensive fireworks could abound in this late June match at AT&T Stadium!
Saturday, June 27th at 9:00 PM
Jordan and Argentina collide in the final group play match in DFW before Round of 32 and Round of 16 action leads off July at AT&T stadium. The match also marks the end of group play for both of these teams. Basically, if you want to ensure you see Lionel Messi compete on the biggest stage possible, this is your last chance. Of course, DFW fans should be familiar with Messi and Argentina after their showing earlier in the same week against Austria. Jordan, however, will be making their DFW debut.
Actually, the entire World Cup itself is a debut for Jordan. The nation is debuting for the first time in the World Cup in 2026. The Athletic highlights the team’s “ceaseless work rate” and counter-attacking abilities as highlight traits that helped earn them entry into the tournament. While the team is missing a key player in Yazan Al-Naimat, who suffered a torn ACL late last year, The Guardian highlights several dynamic players across Jordan’s squad, including star wing Mousa Al-Tamari. The electrifying speedy wing has been a key figure for Ligue 1’s Rennes team as of late. With some highlight-worthy playmakers on both sides of the ball, this is a fitting match to bring an end to group play here in the Metroplex!
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