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Experienced National Committee observers are not entered into the competition until the final round.
Now, we’re going to start seeing better teams raise more. There is no restraint. There is no relief for tired Norwegians, yellow-clad Americans, or old-timers.
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Here’s Al Jazeera’s guide to the best sports to watch in Section 32.
Netherlands vs Morocco,
Monday, June 29, 7pm (01:00 GMT Tuesday) – Monterrey Stadium, Mexico
A double-header of the top 10 teams – Morocco is sixth in the FIFA world rankings while the Netherlands is seventh – in the first elimination round.
At Qatar 2022, Morocco defeated three European opponents on the way to the finals. The Atlas Lions have one Euro notch under their belt this season, but they had trouble against Scotland, and will have to face the Dutch.
As for the Netherlands, it should have a handle on Bayern Munich, Ismael Saibari, who has been in the team of PSV Eindhoven since 2020.
This provides a replay of the 1994 World Cup, which the Netherlands won, 2-1, on a hot day in Orlando, Florida. The weather should be better this time.
Similar recipe: Morocco’s defense against Dutch attackers Brian Brobbey and Cody Gakpo.
Ivory Coast vs Norway
Tuesday, June 30, (17:00 GMT) – Dallas Stadium, Texas, US
After two games, Erling Haaland and many of his teammates were tired of Stale Solbakken and were rested against France in the final group game.
If so, these extra days should mean that Haaland wants to add to his four goals. Solbakken said that the 3-2 victory over Senegal was very difficult, due to the physicality of the Teranga Lions, and he expects the same difficulties from the Ivory Coast.
As for the heat and humidity that caused many Norwegians to collapse, climate-controlled, indoor environments should take care of this. Ivory Coast looked good with wins over Ecuador and Curacao, although they suffered a narrow defeat against Germany.
Key to the game: A battle between Franck Kessie and Norway’s Martin Odegaard.
France vs Sweden
Tuesday, June 30, 5pm (21:00 GMT) – New York/New Jersey Stadium, US
France prepared for the challenge of Scandinavia with a 4-1 victory over Norway.
The front four of Les Bleus – Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise – have been producing highlight reel performances. And, as deputy coach Guy Stephan said, France “should have scored more” than 10 in three games.
Didier Deschamps has returned from his mother’s funeral after missing the Norway game. In their only competitive meeting, the Swedes won, 2-0, at Euro 2012, ending France’s 24-game unbeaten run.
Les Bleus were eliminated by Spain, and Laurent Blanc was replaced by Deschamps.
Key to the game: It doesn’t pay to try to chase down Les Bleus, so the Swedes must control the pace. Bringing in Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres would also help.
USA vs Bosnia
Wednesday, July 1, 5pm (00:00 GMT Thursday) – San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, California, US
If you are wondering if the US is for real, you should get answers soon, as coach Mauricio Pochettino plans to bring back the first team. The US’s last World Cup win against European opposition was in 2002, a 3-2 victory over Portugal.
Esmir Bajraktarevic, who earned a US cap before moving to Bosnia, should be relieved – he was allowed to travel to his Appleton, Wisconsin, home for two days last week.
Key to the game: The US will be pushing hard, so the Bosnians will have to stay calm and ride out the storm.
Spain vs Austria
Thursday, July 2, noon (19:00 GMT) – Los Angeles Stadium
Spain have not beaten the Austrian team since they played in the 1990 World Cup in Malaga. And some of the winners Spain won: 9-0, 5-1, 4-0.
In the World Cup, Austria defeated Spain, 2-1, in 1978 in Argentina.
Key to the game: Everyone is still waiting for the invasion of Lamine Yamal and La Roja to get the music.
Portugal vs Croatia
Thursday, July 2, 7pm (23:00 GMT) – Toronto Stadium, Ontario, Canada
Both teams are expected to perform in depth – Croatia ranked 13th and Portugal ranked 8th. Much will depend on their captains – Croatia’s Luka Modric, 40; Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, 41. Ronaldo and Ricardo Quaresma combined to topple Croatia in the 2016 Euros.
Croatia’s only win over Portugal was 2-1, goals from Modric and Ante Budimir, at Lisbon’s Estadio do Jamor in 2024.
Key to the game: Modric should be as strong as he was in the 2-1 win against Ghana. Ronaldo will have trouble against Croatia’s defense – we’ll see if he’s up to it.
Argentina vs Cape Verde
Friday, July 3, 6pm (22:00 GMT) – Miami Stadium, Florida, US
Can Tubaroes Azuis stop Lionel Messi? Cabo Verde have been amazing in this tournament, mainly through their defense and their goalscoring Vozinha. Argentina have been relying on Messi – no surprise – but they will need others to join the scheme.
Key to the game: Vozinha, 40, vs Messi, 39.
Colombia vs Ghana
Friday, July 3, 8:30pm (01:30 GMT Saturday) – Kansas City Stadium, Missouri, US
The Cafeteros shocked Portugal to win their group. Colombia have shown they can match their rivals technically, but despite their attacking prowess, they have managed just four goals, two by defender Daniel Munoz.
Carlos Queiroz has fixed the Black Stars defensively, and now he needs to find ways to get Jordan Ayew and Antoine Semenyo to score. This is another chance for Queiroz to compete against the country that excluded him from the 2022 games.
Key to the game: For Colombia, Luis Diaz can find space, and Luis Suarez can find the net?
