×
SRH vs CSK, IPL 2026: Will he? Won’t he? The great MS Dhoni waiting game continues The M.S. Dhoni frenzy, building steadily with each passing season, has reached a near-fever pitch this year. Every Chennai Super Kings fixture now seems to orbit a single, lingering question: will the former captain finally step onto the field?Ahead of the clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad, the team’s official Instagram account only heightened the anticipation, teasing Dhoni’s arrival in the City of Pearls. Yet, at Friday’s training session, the 44-year-old kept things low-key, alternating between light jogging and a casual game of foot-volley alongside Sanju Samson, Sarfaraz Khan, and a few others.Head coach Stephen Fleming remained predictably tight-lipped, offering little beyond the standard line that Dhoni was “progressing well” in his recovery. But just when it seemed like another day of speculation would drift by unanswered, a late twist reignited belief. Every Chennai Super Kings fixture now seems to orbit a single, lingering question: will Dhoni finally step onto the field? | Photo Credit: NAGARA GOPAL Every Chennai Super Kings fixture now seems to orbit a single, lingering question: will Dhoni finally step onto the field? | Photo Credit: NAGARA GOPAL As the squad wrapped up and disappeared into the depths of the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Dhoni emerged once more – this time fully padded up, bat in hand. Facing a handful of side-arm throwdowns, he unleashed a flurry of towering hits, punctuated by his signature helicopter shot.Word spread instantly. By match day, the buzz around the stadium wasn’t about if Dhoni would play, but how much he would feature.ALSO READ | Contrasting fortunes converge as Punjab Kings hosts Lucknow Super GiantsAnd then, just as quickly, the excitement evaporated. At the toss, Dhoni’s name was nowhere to be found – not even among the impact substitutes.Back to square one. Back to the waiting game. And once again, the question lingers: when will he finally return? Or maybe more importantly, will he?Published on Apr 18, 2026 #SRH #CSK #IPL #Wont #great #Dhoni #waiting #game #continues

SRH vs CSK, IPL 2026: Will he? Won’t he? The great MS Dhoni waiting game continues

The M.S. Dhoni frenzy, building steadily with each passing season, has reached a near-fever pitch this year. Every Chennai Super Kings fixture now seems to orbit a single, lingering question: will the former captain finally step onto the field?

Ahead of the clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad, the team’s official Instagram account only heightened the anticipation, teasing Dhoni’s arrival in the City of Pearls. Yet, at Friday’s training session, the 44-year-old kept things low-key, alternating between light jogging and a casual game of foot-volley alongside Sanju Samson, Sarfaraz Khan, and a few others.

Head coach Stephen Fleming remained predictably tight-lipped, offering little beyond the standard line that Dhoni was “progressing well” in his recovery. But just when it seemed like another day of speculation would drift by unanswered, a late twist reignited belief.

SRH vs CSK, IPL 2026: Will he? Won’t he? The great MS Dhoni waiting game continues The M.S. Dhoni frenzy, building steadily with each passing season, has reached a near-fever pitch this year. Every Chennai Super Kings fixture now seems to orbit a single, lingering question: will the former captain finally step onto the field?Ahead of the clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad, the team’s official Instagram account only heightened the anticipation, teasing Dhoni’s arrival in the City of Pearls. Yet, at Friday’s training session, the 44-year-old kept things low-key, alternating between light jogging and a casual game of foot-volley alongside Sanju Samson, Sarfaraz Khan, and a few others.Head coach Stephen Fleming remained predictably tight-lipped, offering little beyond the standard line that Dhoni was “progressing well” in his recovery. But just when it seemed like another day of speculation would drift by unanswered, a late twist reignited belief. Every Chennai Super Kings fixture now seems to orbit a single, lingering question: will Dhoni finally step onto the field? | Photo Credit: NAGARA GOPAL Every Chennai Super Kings fixture now seems to orbit a single, lingering question: will Dhoni finally step onto the field? | Photo Credit: NAGARA GOPAL As the squad wrapped up and disappeared into the depths of the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Dhoni emerged once more – this time fully padded up, bat in hand. Facing a handful of side-arm throwdowns, he unleashed a flurry of towering hits, punctuated by his signature helicopter shot.Word spread instantly. By match day, the buzz around the stadium wasn’t about if Dhoni would play, but how much he would feature.ALSO READ | Contrasting fortunes converge as Punjab Kings hosts Lucknow Super GiantsAnd then, just as quickly, the excitement evaporated. At the toss, Dhoni’s name was nowhere to be found – not even among the impact substitutes.Back to square one. Back to the waiting game. And once again, the question lingers: when will he finally return? Or maybe more importantly, will he?Published on Apr 18, 2026 #SRH #CSK #IPL #Wont #great #Dhoni #waiting #game #continues

Every Chennai Super Kings fixture now seems to orbit a single, lingering question: will Dhoni finally step onto the field? | Photo Credit: NAGARA GOPAL

lightbox-info

Every Chennai Super Kings fixture now seems to orbit a single, lingering question: will Dhoni finally step onto the field? | Photo Credit: NAGARA GOPAL

As the squad wrapped up and disappeared into the depths of the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Dhoni emerged once more – this time fully padded up, bat in hand. Facing a handful of side-arm throwdowns, he unleashed a flurry of towering hits, punctuated by his signature helicopter shot.

Word spread instantly. By match day, the buzz around the stadium wasn’t about if Dhoni would play, but how much he would feature.

ALSO READ | Contrasting fortunes converge as Punjab Kings hosts Lucknow Super Giants

And then, just as quickly, the excitement evaporated. At the toss, Dhoni’s name was nowhere to be found – not even among the impact substitutes.

Back to square one. Back to the waiting game. And once again, the question lingers: when will he finally return? Or maybe more importantly, will he?

Published on Apr 18, 2026

#SRH #CSK #IPL #Wont #great #Dhoni #waiting #game #continues

Sports news , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The M.S. Dhoni frenzy, building steadily with each passing season, has reached a near-fever pitch this year. Every Chennai Super Kings fixture now seems to orbit a single, lingering question: will the former captain finally step onto the field?

Ahead of the clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad, the team’s official Instagram account only heightened the anticipation, teasing Dhoni’s arrival in the City of Pearls. Yet, at Friday’s training session, the 44-year-old kept things low-key, alternating between light jogging and a casual game of foot-volley alongside Sanju Samson, Sarfaraz Khan, and a few others.

Head coach Stephen Fleming remained predictably tight-lipped, offering little beyond the standard line that Dhoni was “progressing well” in his recovery. But just when it seemed like another day of speculation would drift by unanswered, a late twist reignited belief.

Every Chennai Super Kings fixture now seems to orbit a single, lingering question: will Dhoni finally step onto the field?
| Photo Credit:
NAGARA GOPAL

lightbox-info

Every Chennai Super Kings fixture now seems to orbit a single, lingering question: will Dhoni finally step onto the field?
| Photo Credit:
NAGARA GOPAL

As the squad wrapped up and disappeared into the depths of the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Dhoni emerged once more – this time fully padded up, bat in hand. Facing a handful of side-arm throwdowns, he unleashed a flurry of towering hits, punctuated by his signature helicopter shot.

Word spread instantly. By match day, the buzz around the stadium wasn’t about if Dhoni would play, but how much he would feature.

ALSO READ | Contrasting fortunes converge as Punjab Kings hosts Lucknow Super Giants

And then, just as quickly, the excitement evaporated. At the toss, Dhoni’s name was nowhere to be found – not even among the impact substitutes.

Back to square one. Back to the waiting game. And once again, the question lingers: when will he finally return? Or maybe more importantly, will he?

Published on Apr 18, 2026

Source link
#SRH #CSK #IPL #Wont #great #Dhoni #waiting #game #continues

Tag
Previous post

Zero Context, Maximum Funny Because It’s the Weekend

Next post

Deadspin | With heavy hearts, Angels clash with Padres again <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28754366.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28754366.jpg" alt="MLB: San Diego Padres at Los Angeles Angels" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 17, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; A patch honoring former Los Angeles Angels player Garret Anderson is seen on the sleeve of center fielder Mike Trout (27) during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Veteran right-hander German Marquez will vie to win his third consecutive start on Saturday night when his San Diego Padres try to even their three-game series against an “emotional” Los Angeles Angels team in Anaheim, Calif. </p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Marquez (2-1, 5.54 ERA) enters off of back-to-back wins over the Pittsburgh Pirates and Colorado Rockies, allowing a total of four runs on 10 hits over 10 innings while striking out nine. </p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (0-2, 7.50 ERA) will take the mound for Los Angeles and try to end what has been a rough April. He has allowed 13 earned runs in just 13 2/3 innings (8.56 ERA) while losing two of his three starts this month.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>The Angels, behind ace Jose Soriano, cruised to an 8-0 win in Friday night’s series opener, snapping the Padres’ league-best eight-game winning streak and handing San Diego manager Craig Stammen’s team its first shutout loss of the season. </p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>The victory came after an emotional pregame tribute for Angels Hall of Fame member and 2002 World Series hero Garret Anderson, who died Thursday at age 53 of a heart attack at his home in Southern California.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Anderson, the franchise record-holder in games (2,013), hits (2,368), doubles (489) and RBIs (1,292), was an analyst on some pre- and post-game shows for the team. </p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>“It’s been a pretty emotional day for us,” said first baseman Nolan Schanuel, who went 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run. “I know he’s looking down on us today with a big smile.”</p> </section><br/><section id="section-8"> <p>The Padres finished with only three hits, including two singles over 5 2/3 innings against Soriano. But Stammen took the glass is half-full approach afterward, noting San Diego also grinded out four walks and got Soriano out of the game before he could complete six innings. </p> </section> <section id="section-9"> <p>“Tough to hang your hat on that, but the competition, the competing we are showing in the box is good,” Stammen said. “That will only benefit us going forward the rest of the year.” </p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>The Padres had Soriano in trouble for one of few times this season in the third inning when they loaded the bases on a Ty France single and walks by Luis Campusano and Fernando Tatis Jr. But Soriano got out of the jam by getting Jackson Merrill to ground out. </p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>“We took good at-bats against Soriano,” Stammen said. “He’s just a really good pitcher. We battled him. We got him out of there before (the end of the) sixth inning, which was a goal of ours pre-game.” </p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>Soriano improved to 5-0 while lowering his ERA to major-league-leading 0.28. He has allowed just one run — a homer by Atlanta catcher Drake Baldwin — and 11 hits over 32 2/3 innings. </p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>Besides ERA, Soriano leads the majors in strikeouts (39), WHIP (0.73), opponent batting average (.104) and is tied with Milwaukee’s Aaron Ashby for the MLB lead in wins. Soriano also is the first Angels pitcher to win each of his first five games to start a season since Jared Weaver in 2011. </p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>“To us, it looked like he had to grind tonight,” Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said. “I think that’s the maturity showing up now. He’s learning how to pitch, and I say this lightly, without his best stuff. He learned how to navigate a great lineup over there without his best stuff, and gave us 5 2/3 with no runs on two hits (which) was pretty incredible.” </p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>Marquez is 0-2 with a 3.54 ERA in three career starts against the Angels, while Kikuchi is 1-1 with a 4.95 ERA in four career starts against San Diego, </p> </section><br/><section id="section-16"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #heavy #hearts #Angels #clash #Padres

Related Posts

Deadspin | Reports: Wolves deal Julius Randle to Nets in 3-team trade May 6, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) dribbles against San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) in the first half during game two of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images The Brooklyn Nets reportedly added former All-Star forward Julius Randle and moved up five spots in the first round of the draft in a three-team trade involving the Minnesota Timberwolves and Chicago Bulls on Monday, the night before the draft. According to multiple media outlets, Minnesota dealt Randle and the 28th overall pick in the Tuesday draft to the Nets for the 33rd overall selection. Brooklyn sent center Nic Claxton to the Chicago Bulls, who in turn shipped forward Mouhamadou Gueye to Minnesota. The Timberwolves reportedly will waive Gueye. Randle, 31, is due to make .3 million in the upcoming season, and he has a player option for .8 million for 2027-28. The three-time All-Star averaged 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists last season. In a 12-year NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers (2014-15 to 2017-18), the New Orleans Pelicans (2018-19), the New York Knicks (2019-20 to 2023-24) and Minnesota (2024-25 to 2025-26), he has averaged 19.2 points, 8.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists. Randle was selected the NBA’s most improved player in 2020-21. Claxton, 27, has spent each of his seven NBA seasons in Brooklyn. He put up 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists per contest in 69 games (68 starts) last season. His career norms are 10.6, 7.6 and 2.1, respectively. He is signed for .3 million in 2026-27 and .1 million in 2027-28. Gueye, 27, made his NBA debut in 2023-24 for the Toronto Raptors, appearing in 11 games off the bench. He got into two games as a reserve for Chicago last season. Overall, he has averaged 3.2 points and 2.2 rebounds in 12.7 minutes. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Reports #Wolves #deal #Julius #Randle #Nets #3team #tradeMay 6, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) dribbles against San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) in the first half during game two of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images

The Brooklyn Nets reportedly added former All-Star forward Julius Randle and moved up five spots in the first round of the draft in a three-team trade involving the Minnesota Timberwolves and Chicago Bulls on Monday, the night before the draft.

According to multiple media outlets, Minnesota dealt Randle and the 28th overall pick in the Tuesday draft to the Nets for the 33rd overall selection.

Brooklyn sent center Nic Claxton to the Chicago Bulls, who in turn shipped forward Mouhamadou Gueye to Minnesota. The Timberwolves reportedly will waive Gueye.

Randle, 31, is due to make $33.3 million in the upcoming season, and he has a player option for $35.8 million for 2027-28.


The three-time All-Star averaged 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists last season. In a 12-year NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers (2014-15 to 2017-18), the New Orleans Pelicans (2018-19), the New York Knicks (2019-20 to 2023-24) and Minnesota (2024-25 to 2025-26), he has averaged 19.2 points, 8.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists.

Randle was selected the NBA’s most improved player in 2020-21.

Claxton, 27, has spent each of his seven NBA seasons in Brooklyn. He put up 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists per contest in 69 games (68 starts) last season. His career norms are 10.6, 7.6 and 2.1, respectively.

He is signed for $23.3 million in 2026-27 and $21.1 million in 2027-28.

Gueye, 27, made his NBA debut in 2023-24 for the Toronto Raptors, appearing in 11 games off the bench. He got into two games as a reserve for Chicago last season. Overall, he has averaged 3.2 points and 2.2 rebounds in 12.7 minutes.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Reports #Wolves #deal #Julius #Randle #Nets #3team #trade">Deadspin | Reports: Wolves deal Julius Randle to Nets in 3-team trade May 6, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) dribbles against San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) in the first half during game two of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images The Brooklyn Nets reportedly added former All-Star forward Julius Randle and moved up five spots in the first round of the draft in a three-team trade involving the Minnesota Timberwolves and Chicago Bulls on Monday, the night before the draft. According to multiple media outlets, Minnesota dealt Randle and the 28th overall pick in the Tuesday draft to the Nets for the 33rd overall selection. Brooklyn sent center Nic Claxton to the Chicago Bulls, who in turn shipped forward Mouhamadou Gueye to Minnesota. The Timberwolves reportedly will waive Gueye. Randle, 31, is due to make .3 million in the upcoming season, and he has a player option for .8 million for 2027-28. The three-time All-Star averaged 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists last season. In a 12-year NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers (2014-15 to 2017-18), the New Orleans Pelicans (2018-19), the New York Knicks (2019-20 to 2023-24) and Minnesota (2024-25 to 2025-26), he has averaged 19.2 points, 8.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists. Randle was selected the NBA’s most improved player in 2020-21. Claxton, 27, has spent each of his seven NBA seasons in Brooklyn. He put up 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists per contest in 69 games (68 starts) last season. His career norms are 10.6, 7.6 and 2.1, respectively. He is signed for .3 million in 2026-27 and .1 million in 2027-28. Gueye, 27, made his NBA debut in 2023-24 for the Toronto Raptors, appearing in 11 games off the bench. He got into two games as a reserve for Chicago last season. Overall, he has averaged 3.2 points and 2.2 rebounds in 12.7 minutes. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Reports #Wolves #deal #Julius #Randle #Nets #3team #trade

Both France and Norway won their opening matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Those two teams can book a spot in the knockout rounds on Monday, but it is possible that the winner of Group I comes down to the heavyweight bout between those two side in the final match of group play.

Here are the scenarios in Group I ahead of the second set of matches in group play at the 2026 World Cup.

Update: With the win over Iraq, France has clinched a spot in the knockout round.

Update: With the win over Senegal, Norway has clinched a spot in the knockout round.

What are the Group I standings?

Here are the standings in Group I after the two matches scheduled for Monday, June 22.

Team

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

Points

France20061+56
Norway20073+46
Senegal00236-30
Iraq00117-60

What are the next Group I matches?

Here is the schedule for the remaining matches in Group I play. All times listed are Eastern.

France 3, Iraq 1
Norway 3, Senegal 2

Norway vs. France, 3:00 p.m.
Senegal vs. Iraq, 3:00 p.m.

What are the Group I scenarios?

Here are the scenarios in Group I, ahead of the two matches set for June 22. Note, the winner of Group I likely comes down to the match between Norway and France on June 26.

France clinches a spot in the Round of 32 with a win over Iraq, provided Senegal does not beat Norway.

Norway clinches a spot in the Round of 32 with a win over Senegal, provided Iraq does not beat France.

Neither side can clinch the knockout round this week, nor can either side be eliminated. These two teams play each other in the final match of group play, and a win for either team would keep them in the running for a spot in the Round of 32 as a third-place team.

Now we get to the tiebreaker scenarios that come into play with Group I.

Here is how tiebreakers work at the World Cup this year. If two or more teams in the same group are equal on points following the group stage, a three-step process will be followed to determine tiebreakers.

In the first step, the greatest number of points in the group matches between the tied teams will be applied. Then, the superior goal difference from the group matches between the tied teams will be applied, and finally, the greatest number of goals scored in all group matches between the tied teams will be applied.

If that cannot determine a tiebreaker, then the teams that are still equal will advance to step two. In this stage, the first step is the goal difference in all group matches, then the greatest number of goals in all group matches, and finally the highest team conduct score (relating to yellow and red cards) will be applied.

If that does not break the tie, then the teams still equal on points will be ranked according to the most recent FIFA World Rankings.

That first step, which reads “greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned” according to FIFA, effectively turns into a head-to-head tiebreaker in the case of ties between two teams.

That leads us to why Norway nor France can clinch the group on Monday. With those two teams playing each other in the final set of matches, there is still a path for both teams to win the group. Let’s use this hypothetical: Norway beats Senegal, but Iraq shocks the world and beats France. In that scenario Norway would have six points, and both Iraq and France would have three. Iraq would own the tiebreaker over France due to the head-to-head win.

But then in the final set of matches, France beats Norway, and Senegal beats Iraq. France and Norway would each have six points, but France would win the group because of the head-to-head tiebreaker with Norway given the win over them.

That is why the winner of Group I very likely comes down to the final set of matches.

Also, at the moment Norway leads the group ahead of France, due to goal differential.

#World #Cup #Knockout #scenarios #France #Norway #Group">World Cup 2026: Knockout round scenarios for France, Norway, and Group I Both France and Norway won their opening matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.Those two teams can book a spot in the knockout rounds on Monday, but it is possible that the winner of Group I comes down to the heavyweight bout between those two side in the final match of group play.Here are the scenarios in Group I ahead of the second set of matches in group play at the 2026 World Cup.Update: With the win over Iraq, France has clinched a spot in the knockout round.Update: With the win over Senegal, Norway has clinched a spot in the knockout round.What are the Group I standings?Here are the standings in Group I after the two matches scheduled for Monday, June 22.TeamWDLGFGAGDPointsFrance20061+56Norway20073+46Senegal00236-30Iraq00117-60What are the next Group I matches?Here is the schedule for the remaining matches in Group I play. All times listed are Eastern.France 3, Iraq 1Norway 3, Senegal 2Norway vs. France, 3:00 p.m.Senegal vs. Iraq, 3:00 p.m.What are the Group I scenarios?Here are the scenarios in Group I, ahead of the two matches set for June 22. Note, the winner of Group I likely comes down to the match between Norway and France on June 26.France clinches a spot in the Round of 32 with a win over Iraq, provided Senegal does not beat Norway.Norway clinches a spot in the Round of 32 with a win over Senegal, provided Iraq does not beat France.Neither side can clinch the knockout round this week, nor can either side be eliminated. These two teams play each other in the final match of group play, and a win for either team would keep them in the running for a spot in the Round of 32 as a third-place team.Now we get to the tiebreaker scenarios that come into play with Group I.Here is how tiebreakers work at the World Cup this year. If two or more teams in the same group are equal on points following the group stage, a three-step process will be followed to determine tiebreakers.In the first step, the greatest number of points in the group matches between the tied teams will be applied. Then, the superior goal difference from the group matches between the tied teams will be applied, and finally, the greatest number of goals scored in all group matches between the tied teams will be applied.If that cannot determine a tiebreaker, then the teams that are still equal will advance to step two. In this stage, the first step is the goal difference in all group matches, then the greatest number of goals in all group matches, and finally the highest team conduct score (relating to yellow and red cards) will be applied.If that does not break the tie, then the teams still equal on points will be ranked according to the most recent FIFA World Rankings.That first step, which reads “greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned” according to FIFA, effectively turns into a head-to-head tiebreaker in the case of ties between two teams.That leads us to why Norway nor France can clinch the group on Monday. With those two teams playing each other in the final set of matches, there is still a path for both teams to win the group. Let’s use this hypothetical: Norway beats Senegal, but Iraq shocks the world and beats France. In that scenario Norway would have six points, and both Iraq and France would have three. Iraq would own the tiebreaker over France due to the head-to-head win.But then in the final set of matches, France beats Norway, and Senegal beats Iraq. France and Norway would each have six points, but France would win the group because of the head-to-head tiebreaker with Norway given the win over them.That is why the winner of Group I very likely comes down to the final set of matches.Also, at the moment Norway leads the group ahead of France, due to goal differential. #World #Cup #Knockout #scenarios #France #Norway #Group

FIFA World Rankings.

That first step, which reads “greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned” according to FIFA, effectively turns into a head-to-head tiebreaker in the case of ties between two teams.

That leads us to why Norway nor France can clinch the group on Monday. With those two teams playing each other in the final set of matches, there is still a path for both teams to win the group. Let’s use this hypothetical: Norway beats Senegal, but Iraq shocks the world and beats France. In that scenario Norway would have six points, and both Iraq and France would have three. Iraq would own the tiebreaker over France due to the head-to-head win.

But then in the final set of matches, France beats Norway, and Senegal beats Iraq. France and Norway would each have six points, but France would win the group because of the head-to-head tiebreaker with Norway given the win over them.

That is why the winner of Group I very likely comes down to the final set of matches.

Also, at the moment Norway leads the group ahead of France, due to goal differential.

#World #Cup #Knockout #scenarios #France #Norway #Group">World Cup 2026: Knockout round scenarios for France, Norway, and Group I

Both France and Norway won their opening matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Those two teams can book a spot in the knockout rounds on Monday, but it is possible that the winner of Group I comes down to the heavyweight bout between those two side in the final match of group play.

Here are the scenarios in Group I ahead of the second set of matches in group play at the 2026 World Cup.

Update: With the win over Iraq, France has clinched a spot in the knockout round.

Update: With the win over Senegal, Norway has clinched a spot in the knockout round.

What are the Group I standings?

Here are the standings in Group I after the two matches scheduled for Monday, June 22.

Team

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

Points

France20061+56
Norway20073+46
Senegal00236-30
Iraq00117-60

What are the next Group I matches?

Here is the schedule for the remaining matches in Group I play. All times listed are Eastern.

France 3, Iraq 1
Norway 3, Senegal 2

Norway vs. France, 3:00 p.m.
Senegal vs. Iraq, 3:00 p.m.

What are the Group I scenarios?

Here are the scenarios in Group I, ahead of the two matches set for June 22. Note, the winner of Group I likely comes down to the match between Norway and France on June 26.

France clinches a spot in the Round of 32 with a win over Iraq, provided Senegal does not beat Norway.

Norway clinches a spot in the Round of 32 with a win over Senegal, provided Iraq does not beat France.

Neither side can clinch the knockout round this week, nor can either side be eliminated. These two teams play each other in the final match of group play, and a win for either team would keep them in the running for a spot in the Round of 32 as a third-place team.

Now we get to the tiebreaker scenarios that come into play with Group I.

Here is how tiebreakers work at the World Cup this year. If two or more teams in the same group are equal on points following the group stage, a three-step process will be followed to determine tiebreakers.

In the first step, the greatest number of points in the group matches between the tied teams will be applied. Then, the superior goal difference from the group matches between the tied teams will be applied, and finally, the greatest number of goals scored in all group matches between the tied teams will be applied.

If that cannot determine a tiebreaker, then the teams that are still equal will advance to step two. In this stage, the first step is the goal difference in all group matches, then the greatest number of goals in all group matches, and finally the highest team conduct score (relating to yellow and red cards) will be applied.

If that does not break the tie, then the teams still equal on points will be ranked according to the most recent FIFA World Rankings.

That first step, which reads “greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned” according to FIFA, effectively turns into a head-to-head tiebreaker in the case of ties between two teams.

That leads us to why Norway nor France can clinch the group on Monday. With those two teams playing each other in the final set of matches, there is still a path for both teams to win the group. Let’s use this hypothetical: Norway beats Senegal, but Iraq shocks the world and beats France. In that scenario Norway would have six points, and both Iraq and France would have three. Iraq would own the tiebreaker over France due to the head-to-head win.

But then in the final set of matches, France beats Norway, and Senegal beats Iraq. France and Norway would each have six points, but France would win the group because of the head-to-head tiebreaker with Norway given the win over them.

That is why the winner of Group I very likely comes down to the final set of matches.

Also, at the moment Norway leads the group ahead of France, due to goal differential.

#World #Cup #Knockout #scenarios #France #Norway #Group

Soccer Football – FIFA World Cup 2026 – Group J – Jordan v Algeria – San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, Santa Clara, California, U.S. – June 22, 2026 Jordan’s Nizar Alrashdan in action with Algeria’s Fares Chaibi REUTERS/Carlos Barria | Photo Credit: Carlos Barria

elcome to Sportstar’s Live Updates from the FIFA World Cup 2026 match between Jordan and Algeria happening in San Francisco on Monday. 

#Jordan #Algeria #Live #Score #FIFA #World #Cup #AlRashdan #puts #Jordan #lead">Jordan vs Algeria Live Score, FIFA World Cup 2026: Al-Rashdan puts Jordan in lead Soccer Football – FIFA World Cup 2026 – Group J – Jordan v Algeria – San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, Santa Clara, California, U.S. – June 22, 2026 Jordan’s Nizar Alrashdan in action with Algeria’s Fares Chaibi REUTERS/Carlos Barria | Photo Credit: Carlos Barria Soccer Football – FIFA World Cup 2026 – Group J – Jordan v Algeria – San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, Santa Clara, California, U.S. – June 22, 2026 Jordan’s Nizar Alrashdan in action with Algeria’s Fares Chaibi REUTERS/Carlos Barria | Photo Credit: Carlos Barria elcome to Sportstar’s Live Updates from the FIFA World Cup 2026 match between Jordan and Algeria happening in San Francisco on Monday.  #Jordan #Algeria #Live #Score #FIFA #World #Cup #AlRashdan #puts #Jordan #lead

Post Comment