France plays its second World Cup match against Iraq this Monday evening. Kick-off is at 23 p.m., live broadcast on M6 and beIN Sports 1. Les Bleus arrive with three points after their victory against Senegal, but they are not top of Group I: Norway leads them on goal difference after their convincing win against Iraq. This match is therefore the one that can put Les Bleus in a very favorable position before the clash against Norway, scheduled for Friday at 21 p.m.
What France can gain tonight
A French victory would bring Les Bleus to six points. In a 48-team format, the top two teams from each group and the eight best third-placed teams qualify for the round of 32. Six points would therefore put France very close to qualification, and could even pave the way for direct qualification depending on the result of Norway-Senegal, scheduled for tonight.
The real issue, beyond simply advancing to the next round, is first place in Group I. Finishing first or second doesn't lead to the same draw. The winner of Group I faces a third-place team from another group in the round of 32, while the runner-up in Group I plays the runner-up from Group E. France's final ranking will therefore have a direct impact on the rest of their tournament.
Iraq is already playing under pressure
Iraq began with a heavy 4-1 defeat against Norway. With zero points and a goal difference of -3, the Iraqi national team has little room for error. A second defeat would force them to beat Senegal on the final matchday and then wait for the final standings to be determined by the best third-placed teams.
Norway-Senegal: the result that will weigh heavily on the French team
The second Group I match will see Norway take on Senegal on Tuesday at 2:00 AM, broadcast on beIN Sports 1. For Norway, a victory would mean six points and a direct duel with France for first place. For Senegal, defeated by Les Bleus in the first match, another loss would make direct qualification very difficult.
This match is of direct interest to France. If Les Bleus beat Iraq and Senegal fail to beat Norway, France will have already secured a top-two finish in the group. If Senegal beats Norway, the group will remain much tighter going into the final matchday.
Argentina-Austria: Clash of the Group J leaders
Before France-Iraq, the other big match of the evening pits Argentina against Austria at 7 p.m. on M6 and beIN Sports 1. Both teams won their opening matches: Argentina defeated Algeria 3-0, while Austria beat Jordan 3-1. The winner would take sole possession of first place in Group J with six points. This would put them in a huge position to reach the round of 32 and put the other team under pressure before the final matchday. A draw would keep both teams in a favorable position but would leave an opening for either Jordan or Algeria should they win tonight.
Jordan-Algeria: already a survival match
On Monday night/Tuesday morning, Jordan vs. Algeria will be played at 5:00 AM on beIN Sports 1. Both teams lost their opening matches and have no points. Algeria is bottom of the table with a goal difference of -3, while Jordan is third with -2. The loser will almost certainly be relegated to playing one of the best third-placed teams, at best. The winner, on the other hand, will have a much better chance of starting the season ahead of the third matchday.
