Who is playing in the World Cup today is clear on Day 23: Australia faces Egypt in Dallas, Argentina meets Cape Verde, and Colombia takes on Ghana in Kansas City. Friday closes the Round of 32 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with all three matches on FOX and streaming live and on demand on FOX One.
Australia and Egypt in Dallas
Australia reached Friday on four points after beating Turkiye 2-0, losing to the United States and drawing Paraguay 0-0. Beach started in goal after Matthew Ryan was benched, and the Australia keeper has only five caps, plus a second clean sheet against Paraguay, while he plays domestically for Melbourne City.
Egypt advanced from Group G with five points, but Mohamed Salah’s status is the hinge in this matchup. He was forced off with a hamstring strain in Egypt’s group finale against Iran, even as Hossam Hassan is optimistic that he will play.
Messi and Cape Verde
Argentina brings the sharpest form into the day. It won Group J by multi-goal margins in all three games and has won its last 10 matches, with Lionel Messi tied for the tournament lead with six goals and now on 19 World Cup goals.
Cape Verde comes in unbeaten after three draws and a scoreless result against Spain, and Vozinha has been outstanding in goal. That makes Argentina’s attack the clearest separator in a Round of 32 meeting that also carries the weight of a defending champion against the World Cup’s best underdog story.
Colombia and Ghana in Kansas City
Colombia won Group K with wins over Uzbekistan and DR Congo and a 0-0 draw with Portugal. Its attack has been led by Luis Diaz and James Rodriguez, giving it a different profile from the other Friday matches.
Ghana advanced as one of the third-place finishers from Group L after managing just 15 shots across the group stage. Carlos Queiroz has quickly repaired the defense, which gives this match a different edge: Colombia’s front line has production, while Ghana has leaned on structure to stay alive.
For viewers, the job is simple. FOX carries every match, and FOX One has each game live and on demand, so the full Friday slate can be followed from the first whistle through the last one. For Egypt, the watch item remains Will Mohamed Salah fit enough to play for Egypt on Friday?
