Kylian Mbappé has six goal contributions in three games, and that is the sharpest reason to follow Football Games Today. Tuesday brings three World Cup last 32 matches, with France, Norway and Mexico all in the knockout round.
Mbappé and France
Mbappé has recorded two goal contributions in each of his three appearances so far. France have won three out of three at the 2026 World Cup and have scored 10 goals in those matches, so Didier Deschamps’ side arrive as the pace-setters in the field.
Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise add more finishing power around him. That gives France a margin few teams in the round can match, especially in a tournament where one clean performance can end a run before it builds.
Norway’s Rested Core
Norway enter with a different kind of edge. Stale Solbakken rested Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard for the final group game against France, and both are back among the headline names for Tuesday’s knockout tie.
Haaland and Mbappé have scored eight goals between them. Norway’s caution before the France game shows how quickly a coach can trade one result for the next round, then try to cash that planning in when the bracket tightens.
Mexico, Ecuador and Côte d’Ivoire
Mexico can reach the last 16 for the eighth time in the last nine World Cups, and they do it with home advantage in front of their own supporters at the Estadio Azteca. Javier Aguirre’s team are one of just three teams with a 100% record after three games of this World Cup.
Ecuador came from behind to beat Germany in their final group game, and Sebastian Beccacece’s side are chasing only the second last-16 place in their history. Moises Caicedo gives them control in midfield, while Yan Diomande has become the only player this century to register 10+ chances created and 10+ dribbles in three World Cup matches.
Côte d’Ivoire have reached the knockout rounds of a World Cup for the first time and have scored in all three matches they have played at the tournament so far. Sweden also bring two elite-level forwards in Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak, which keeps Tuesday’s last 32 slate loaded from the first whistle to the last.
