With the domestic soccer season now finished in most of the world’s major leagues, there are only a few weeks to go until the 2026 World Cup kicks off.Fear not, soccer aficionados—you won’t have to go completely without the beautiful game in the meantime.There is still plenty of international action to sink your teeth into, with nations across the globe playing warm-up friendlies as they fine-tune their preparations for the tournament.Here are our picks of the matches worth watching.World Cup 2026 Friendlies: Biggest & Best GamesErling Haaland will lead Norway into their first World Cup of the 21st century. | Fredrik Varfjell/NTB/AFP/Getty ImagesWhile almost every World Cup nation is in action over the next couple of weeks, with teams playing one or two warm-up fixtures ahead of the tournament, there are a handful of standout matchups involving some of the world’s biggest soccer powers.First up is a particularly tasty clash between Croatia and Belgium on June 2. Both nations are navigating periods of transition, with several stars from their golden generations either retired, winding down their careers, or being phased out in favor of emerging talent. As a result, it should provide an intriguing glimpse into how each side might fare this summer in North America.Two days later, France takes on Ivory Coast, pitting one of the tournament favorites against a nation many believe has the talent to spring a surprise.The weekend, however, is when things really heat up. On Saturday, June 6, Portugal faces Chile, the United States takes on Germany, England meets New Zealand, and Brazil squares off against Egypt—all fixtures that should offer plenty of entertainment and insight.On Sunday, reigning world champion Argentina, led by Lionel Messi as he prepares for a sixth World Cup appearance, faces Honduras. But Morocco vs. Norway is arguably the standout fixture.Africa’s champion—albeit one crowned amid controversy—against the team many are tipping as this summer’s dark horse. Achraf Hakimi versus Erling Haaland. Alexander Sørloth versus Ismael Saibari. Oscar Bobb versus Ayyoub Bouaddi. Brahim Díaz versus Martin Ødegaard. (We couldn’t make that last one rhyme, sorry.)It’s a matchup packed with fascinating individual battles—and one that could tell us a lot about two teams hoping to make deep runs at the World Cup.The action continues next week, too.Among the standout fixtures are DR Congo—one of the World Cup debutants—taking on Chile, Argentina facing Iceland, Portugal meeting Nigeria and England squaring off against Costa Rica.World Cup 2026 Friendlies ScheduleMatchDateVenueKickoff Time (ET)Croatia vs. BelgiumTuesday, June 2Stadion HNK Rijeka, Croatia12 p.m.Netherlands vs. AlgeriaWednesday, June 3De Kuip, Netherlands2:45 p.m.Spain vs. IraqThursday, June 4Estadio de Riazor, Spain3 p.m.France vs. Ivory CoastThursday, June 4Stade de la Beaujoire, France3:10 p.m.Portugal vs. ChileSaturday, June 6Estádio do Jamor, Portgual1:45 p.m.United States vs. GermanySaturday, June 6Soldier Field, USA2:30 p.m.England vs. New ZealandSaturday, June 6Raymond James Stadium, USA4 p.m.Brazil vs. EgyptSaturday, June 6Huntington Bank Field, USA7 p.m.Argentina vs. HondurasSunday, June 7Kyle Field, USA8 p.m.Greece vs. ItalySunday, June 7Pankritio Stadium, Greece3 p.m.Morocco vs. NorwaySunday, June 7Red Bull Arena, USA3 p.m.France vs. Northern IrelandMonday, June 8Decathlon Arena, France3:10 p.m.DR Congo vs. ChileTuesday, June 9Municipal de La Línea de la Concepción, Spain10 a.m.Saudi Arabia vs. SenegalTuesday, June 9Toyota Field, USA7 p.m.Argentina vs. IcelandTuesday, June 9TBC9 p.m.Portugal vs. NigeriaWednesday, June 10Estádio Dr. Magalhaes Pessoa, Portugal3:45 p.m.England vs. Costa RicaWednesday, June 10Inter&Co Stadium, USA4 p.m.READ THE LATEST WORLD CUP NEWS, PREVIEWS & ANALYSIS HEREAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow