With the way Group J sets up, multi-goal leads will allow coach Lionel Scaloni to give Messi even more rest in the group stage to ready him for one extra game in the knockout rounds this year.France's devastating second half.
The first matchday of the 2026 FIFA World Cup has come to a close after all competing 48 teams played their opening fixtures in a group stage that has so far produced a mix of expected results and upsets.
... 26% implied probability for a tie offers value, given that opening group stage games can often devolve into cautious, low-risk tactical battles.England vs Croatia prediction for World Cup group stage.