The World Cup group stage is almost in the books, and we’ve got a must-watch matchup before it concludes. Before the bracket locks and elimination soccer begins Sunday, France and Norway meet in Foxborough in a matchup loaded with star power.

Elsewhere, the Yankees and Red Sox renew the best rivalry in baseball at Fenway, and Wimbledon gets underway Monday to round out the weekend.

Here's your weekend preview starting with what matters most.

The stakes: In this matchup we have one of the best individual duels you'll see all tournament. Kylian Mbappé will go head-to-head against Erling Haaland, two of the game's biggest stars, each riding scoring hotstreaks with four goals apiece through two games.

Both teams have won their first two group stage games and already punched their tickets to the Round of 32. But there’s plenty to play for as first place in Group I is still up for grabs, and the winner will receive the more favorable path through the bracket. France lead in goal difference, which means a draw or better sends them through as group winners. Norway have to win outright to top the group. Expect this one to be competitive with plenty of fireworks.

What to watch for: Kylian Mbappé vs. Erling Haaland is the reason to tune into this one. These are two of the best players on the planet, both red hot, on scoring streaks. Mbappé is a global superstar and a World Cup winner who's spent years in the conversation for best in the world. Haaland is a goalscoring machine and a physical specimen who is finally getting his first real World Cup stage with Norway back in the tournament for the first time in 28 years. You're watching two generational talents at the peak of their powers and that alone is worth taking a summer Friday to sign off early and tune in.

Skin in the Game  [Powered by WagerXpert]: Back Kylian Mbappé Anytime Goalscorer (+105). Let’s not overthink this and back the best player on the favored team. He's got four goals in two games, he's the focal point of everything France do going forward, and Norway's back line simply doesn't have the speed to keep up with him for ninety minutes. France should control this game and find the net, and when they do, Mbappé is the most likely name on the scoresheet. Remember this is for fun, not your rent money.

More about WagerXpert: All the thrill, none of the pressure. Bet against your friends on https://wagerxpert.app/ just look us up!

The stakes: Baseball's oldest rivalry is back, but these two teams could not be further apart. The Yankees are the best team in the American League. They've gone 10-5 over their last 15 and they're doing it without Aaron Judge, who's been out with a rib injury. First baseman Ben Rice has helped fill the void as he’s gone from role player to All-Star, putting himself among the league leaders in home runs and batting average, with 22 home runs so far this season.

Meanwhile, the Red Sox have been a disaster this year. This was a playoff team a year ago. Now they've already fired their manager and are 12-25 at home, owning the worst home record in all of baseball. The pitching has been decent, but they can’t find a way to get runs. This weekend against their biggest rival is a measuring stick for them that could either sink them further into free fall or jumpstart a turnaround.

What to watch for: Cam Schlittler. The Yankees' ace is the early favorite to win the Cy Young, the award that goes to the league's best pitcher, and he's been elite. He's allowing fewer than two runs per game he starts, giving the Yankees a major advantage every time he takes the mound. No Yankees pitcher has been this good this deep into a season since Yankees legend Whitey Ford back in 1964. The way he's pitching, Schlittler is must-watch every time out.

Skin in the Game  [Powered by WagerXpert]: Take Cam Schlittler Over 6.5 Strikeouts (+105). The logic is simple, Schlittler has been overwhelming hitters all year, and he's coming into a Red Sox lineup that's been one of the coldest in baseball. At plus money, it’s worth taking a shot on one of the hottest pitchers in baseball. Remember this is for fun, not your rent money.

More about WagerXpert: All the thrill, none of the pressure. Bet against your friends on https://wagerxpert.app/ just look us up!

USA vs. Türkiye | Tonight, June 25, 10:00 PM ET (FOX): The USMNT wraps up group play tonight in Los Angeles. Following back-to-back wins over Paraguay (4-1) and Australia (2-0) they’ve already locked up a spot in the Round of 32 and top of the group with a game to spare, so the pressure that hung over this Türkiye matchup a week ago is gone. Now it's about momentum and health for the U.S.

The Round of 32 Begins | Sunday, June 28: This is the moment the tournament changes. The group stage wraps Saturday, the bracket locks, and on Sunday the World Cup turns into win or go home soccer for the first time. The expanded 48-team format means a brand new knockout round with all 12 group winners, 12 runner ups, and the eight best third place teams advancing into a 32 team bracket.

Wimbledon Begins | Monday, June 29: Tennis' oldest and most storied major is back, with Wimbledon running Monday through July 12. Defending champions Jannik Sinner and Iga Świątek headline the field, and there's added star power this year with Serena Williams returning to Grand Slam play. Early round action gets going first thing Monday morning ET, so set the alarm.

Must-watch:

Worth tuning in:

— Backdrop Sports

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