France and Spain, widely regarded as favorites for the 2026 World Cup, will both take the field on Thursday, June 4, as part of the final stretch of preparation for the tournament. With the World Cup set to be played in Mexico, the United States and Canada, national teams are using this week to complete their last warm-up matches before the competition begins.
In total, five friendlies involving World Cup-bound teams are scheduled for Thursday afternoon and evening. Spain will face Iraq at 4 p.m., with the match available on Disney+. Shortly after, France will play Ivory Coast at 4:10 p.m., with broadcast coverage on SporTV. Both teams are among the most closely watched sides ahead of the tournament and are expected to use these matches to refine tactics, test lineups and build momentum.
Earlier in the day, Sweden will meet Greece at 2 p.m., with coverage on ESPN 4 and Disney+. Later, the Czech Republic will take on Guatemala at 9 p.m., also on SporTV. The final match on the schedule will feature Mexico against Serbia at 11 p.m., streamed on FIFA+.
These games come at an important moment for the participating teams, which are using the closing days before the World Cup to evaluate squad depth, fitness and match readiness. For Spain and France in particular, the friendlies offer one last chance to make adjustments before the pressure of the tournament begins.
The matches also provide fans with a final preview of several of the national teams expected to compete on the global stage in North America. Spain’s meeting with Iraq and France’s clash with Ivory Coast stand out as the headline fixtures of the day, but the full slate offers a broader look at how teams are shaping up ahead of the 2026 edition of football’s biggest event.
Thursday’s schedule reflects the intensity of the preparation period, with teams balancing experimentation and competitive rhythm. Coaches are likely to use these matches to assess combinations, confirm roles and identify any last-minute concerns before the World Cup kickoff.
