If you watch only one match today it should be Brazil v. Morocco, the first matchup of two sides that should expect to make it to the World Cup quarterfinals. If you watch two, the Australia v. Türkiye game might be an indicator of who is going to get grouped after the USMNT win (this is the first match on FS1 rather than Fox). Scotland v. Haiti will probably have the best small nation, beautiful fandom experience. While Qatar v. Switzerland gives a small preview of a minnow coming to Seattle later.
Today's games
Qatar vs Switzerland
Time: Noon (Pacific)
Where: Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara (San Francisco), California
TV: Fox, Telemundo
Online: Fox One, Peacock
Brazil vs Morocco
Time: 3 PM (Pacific)
Where: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford (New York/New Jersey), New Jersey
TV: Fox, Telemundo
Online: Fox One, Peacock
Haiti vs Scotland
Time: 6 PM (Pacific)
Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough (Boston), Massachusetts
TV: Fox, Telemundo
Online: Fox One, Peacock
Australia vs. Türkiye
Time: 9 PM (Pacific)
Where: BC Place, Vancouver, British Colombia
TV: FS1, Telemundo
Online: Fox One, Peacock
What’s interesting today?
- Brazil struggled through qualifying as one generation fades and another is yet to rise. They’ll be powered by a massive crowd in MetLife, a place they want to return to later in the tournament. Standing in their way is the best side outside of Europe and South America. Morocco's most recent title may be tainted due to the administrative victory, they’re still a dark horse to make the final days of World Cup 2026. Since finishing fourth in Qatar 2022, they’ve taken that African Cup of Nations, two Africa Nations Championships, an Arab Cup and went a perfect 8–0, +20 in qualifying.
- Türkiye and Australia now have a harder mission. The US upended the data with their dominant victory (at least according to Opta). That makes the fifth hardest Group one even more difficult to call than it was a week ago. A big loss could end someone's hopes.
- Two Australians to watch are Cammy Devlin (rumored to Seattle or Chicago) and Paul Okon-Engstler who made the SaH list of targets at the Cup.
- The Tartan Army's return to the World Cup already brought college bowl-style airplane alcohol outage stories to the world. Scotland's fans will put on a show, if they can survive the hour-long journey from Boston to Gillette Stadium. Also absolutely thrilled to be at the Cup is Haiti, who had to do a last-minute redesign of their shirts. If you take joy in a World Cup with unique fan interactions, this is likely the best match for co-equal vibrant passions from two teams unlikely to do much.
- Sickos will watch Qatar and Switzerland because Qatar plays in Seattle during the group stage. On the tournament's first four-match day, this is the least compelling game. Canada's draw opens up space for the Swiss to take the top of the group, judged the weakest by Opta.
If you're in Renton today you are likely to see me in a Pub League jersey in Legacy Square for a bit, but not until after I get the AC ready for the heat wave.
