WORLD CUP TV
GROUP B IRAN VS. U.S.
Where: Al Thumama Stadium
Time: 11 a.m. PST
TV: Fox, Telemundo, Peacock Premium
The buzz: The math is simple in this game: The winner goes on and the loser goes home. A draw, meanwhile, would eliminate the U.S. but not Iran, which still would advance if Wales does not beat England. That Iran still has a chance is surprising given its 6-2 loss to England in its opener. But goals eight and 11 minutes into stoppage time against a 10-man Wales team have it second in the group with three points, one ahead of the U.S. The Americans have not allowed a goal from the run of play, with a Gareth Bale penalty kick late in its opening draw with Wales the only score they have conceded. But they’ve also scored just once and with a draw here doing them no good, the Americans will have to find a way to improve their finishing. “Anytime you’re in a World Cup and you get to go into the last group game controlling your destiny, that’s a pretty good thing,” U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter said.
GROUP B WALES VS. ENGLAND
Where: Ahmed bin Ali Stadium
Time: 11 a.m. PST
TV: FS1, Universo, Peacock Premium
The buzz: Wales’ return to the World Cup after a 64-year absence will be a short one without a victory over unbeaten England in its group-stage finale. But the Dragons will be without first-choice keeper Wayne Hennessey, who drew a late red card in this team’s 2-0 loss to Iran, and could be without captain Bale, whose fitness issues leave coach Rob Page with a decision to make ahead of his team’s third game in nine days. Bale, 33, and veteran Aaron Ramsey, 31, have arguably been liabilities more than assets through Wales’ first two matches, the draw against the U.S. preceding its loss to Iran. Unbeaten England, which leads the group with four points, is in much safer territory. A win or a tie and it’s through. Even a loss would not eliminate England unless Wales makes up a six-goal differential to the English.
GROUP D AUSTRALIA VS. DENMARK
Where: Al Janoub Stadium
Time: 7 a.m. PST Wednesday
TV: FS1, Universo, Peacock Premium
The buzz: The scenario here is straightforward: Australia needs only to avoid a loss to advance to the knockout rounds while Denmark needs a win to move on, the difference between Mitchell Duke’s goal last week that gave the Aussies a 1-0 win over Tunisia. Denmark’s game with Tunisia ended in a scoreless draw. Statically, Australia has been outplayed in this tournament, conceding possession two-thirds of the time and getting outshot 37-13 by France and Tunisia combined. But Duke’s goal has it in position to advance with a result here. The situation for Denmark would be different if Andreas Cornelius’ shot had gone in rather than hitting off the post or if an apparent handball call in stoppage time had gone the Danes’ way in their game with Tunisia.
GROUP D TUNISIA VS. FRANCE
Where: Education City Stadium
Time: 7 a.m. PST Wednesday
TV: Fox, Telemundo, Peacock Premium
The buzz: Unbeaten France is on to the second round while Tunisia would need a miracle finish to advance. With just a draw through two games, Tunisia needs to beat France and have Denmark either lose or draw Australia to stay alive. Tunisia also could move on with a win and a Danish victory since those results would give it an advantage in goal differential, the first tiebreaker. Meanwhile France, which has been riddled by injury, will concentrate on staying healthy and helping Kylian Mbappe in the Golden Boot race. Through the first two games of group play, Mbappe and Ecuador’s Enner Valencia each had three goals. France is trying to become the first World Cup champion to repeat since Brazil in 1962. It’s already assured of becoming the first defending champion to advance beyond the first round since Brazil in 2006.