World Cup 2026: Full group schedule and top second-round matches to watch

After an action-packed first round of World Cup 2026 group matches, it’s time for the next phase of the group stage to kick off.

Here are the top five “must-watch” matches in the second round of fixtures from June 18 until June 23:

This Group A clash in Guadalajara promises to deliver an atmosphere like no other. After the first round of games, social media was filled with clips of Mexicans and South Koreans celebrating their respective victories together, as they shared hugs, danced along to Gangnam Style, and marked the moment with sips of tequila.

Once again, chants of “¡ Coreano, hermano, ya eres mexicano !” (Spanish for “Korean, brother, you are Mexican now!”) rang around the streets of the cohost nation, which has shared a friendship with South Korea since the 2018 World Cup, after the Asian giants beat Germany in the group stage, helping Mexico advance in the tournament.

Come Thursday, the friends will be pitted against each other, with both fighting to secure the top spot in Group A after winning their respective opening games.

The next fixture takes us to the United States, where two big North European nations clash, and interestingly, it’s the three-time runners-up – the Dutch – who are in desperate need of a bounce-back performance.

After being held to a 2-2 draw with Japan, the Netherlands have slipped to third in Group F, while Sweden sit on top following a 5-1 thrashing of Tunisia.

Back at the World Cup after pulling off somewhat of a “great escape” under Graham Potter, the Swedes have been fun to watch, thanks to the dynamic strike partnership of Alexander Isak and ‌Viktor Gyokeres, which has proved too hot to handle so far.