As Day 12 of the 2026 World Cup unfolds, we preview today’s Group I and J drama and look ahead to Ghana’s massive test against England tomorrow.
Day 12 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is shaping up as a pivotal Monday. Argentina and Austria fight for Group J supremacy. Senegal’s tournament is on the line. France and Iraq complete the Group I picture. But for Nigerian football fans with a vested interest in African football, the biggest story is building quietly in Group L — because tomorrow night, the Ghana Black Stars go head to head with England.
Monday June 22 features four matches, all in Groups I and J.
Group I is strikingly even at the top. France and Norway both won their openers — France 3-1 against Senegal, Norway a stunning 4-1 against Iraq. A point separates all four teams, but the bottom two, Senegal and Iraq, are in crisis already. Both desperately need a win. France and Norway are playing for top spot; Senegal and Iraq are playing for survival.
Group J mirrors that dynamic. Argentina and Austria enter level on three points after opening wins. Algeria and Jordan sit on zero. Today effectively decides the group hierarchy for all four teams with one matchday still remaining.
Group I
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts |
|—|—|—|—|—|—|—|—|
| France | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| Norway | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| Senegal | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Iraq | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
Group J
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts |
|—|—|—|—|—|—|—|—|
| Argentina | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Austria | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| Jordan | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Algeria | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
Senegal are the African team with the most to prove today. After their 3-1 defeat to France, the Lions of Teranga must beat Norway to stay genuinely in the tournament. A draw keeps them mathematically alive but puts them at the mercy of the final matchday. A defeat likely sends them home early.
Nigeria fans will be watching Sadio Mane, Ismaila Sarr and Nicolas Jackson closely. All three have the pace and quality to hurt Norway on the counter, but Senegal will need to be more disciplined defensively than they were against France. Erling Haaland is a different kind of threat to the French forwards and his physicality is something Senegal’s centre-backs must be prepared for.
The Fennec Foxes of Algeria were thoroughly outplayed by Messi’s Argentina, going down 3-0 without really threatening. Tonight’s game against Jordan is very different in nature — two bottom-placed teams in a must-win clash that will likely determine who stays in the tournament. Algeria have the quality. Jordan showed resilience in defeat against Austria. But Algeria’s pride is wounded and they should respond.
For Nigerian fans who were following Algeria as an African team to support, tonight’s game against Jordan at 4:00 AM WAT is the one to monitor early on Tuesday morning. Check the full Algeria World Cup 2026 guide for squad details and tournament background.
Elsewhere, the talking point of the tournament is Lionel Messi sitting on 16 World Cup goals — level with Miroslav Klose’s all-time record going into today’s match against Austria. This is must-watch football regardless of your team allegiances. Messi will be hunting goal 17. Austria’s defence will be hunting him. Something has to give.
Here is what every Nigerian football fan will be waiting for. Ghana’s Black Stars take on England in their second group game on Tuesday June 23 at Lincoln Financial Field in Boston. Kick-off is at 9:00 PM WAT.
Ghana opened their World Cup campaign in impressive fashion, beating Panama 1-0 through a remarkable 95th-minute goal from Caleb Yirenkyi, who latched onto a low cross from Brandon Thomas-Asante to tap home and send the African continent into celebration. It was Ghana’s latest ever goal scored in regulation time at a World Cup, and it earned them three crucial points in Group L.
England, meanwhile, demolished Croatia 4-2 in their opener. The Three Lions attack, led by Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka, looks sharp and in top form. This will be a genuine test of where Ghana stand in this tournament.
The history between these two sides at World Cups is legendary. In 2010, Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan had a last-minute penalty saved by Luis Suarez’s infamous handball — but that was Uruguay. Against England specifically, the record is positive for Ghana. The Black Stars knocked England out at the 2010 group stage.
What Nigerian fans need from Ghana: a performance. Passion, pressing, and clinical finishing on the counter. England will have more possession. Ghana need to make them pay on the break, just as they did against Panama.
For everything you need before Tuesday’s match — squad news, bet tips, kick-off details — read the full Ghana World Cup 2026 guide.
Six of the eight African nations at this World Cup are still very much alive. Morocco lead Group C after a commanding opening win. South Africa, Egypt, Tunisia and DR Congo are all still in the mix after their first matches. Senegal must win today to stay in it.
The narrative that African football cannot compete at the highest level continues to be dismantled with each tournament. Ghana’s win over Panama, Morocco’s controlled displays, and South Africa’s performances are all evidence that the continent is producing teams capable of deep runs.
The Round of 32 is a new format in 2026, meaning more teams survive the group stage and African nations have a genuine path into the knockouts. If Ghana get a result against England tomorrow, Group L suddenly looks very different.
Stay with NigerianMatchday.com for full coverage of every African team at World Cup 2026, live updates, betting tips and previews. Follow the Senegal World Cup 2026 guide for tonight’s match against Norway, and check back tomorrow for the Ghana vs England preview and betting tips.
