Welcome to Mirror Sport’s coverage of the 2026 World Cup on Monday, June 15.
Cape Verde have shocked Spain by holding them to a 0-0 draw in their opening game of the tournament. Lamine Yamal came off the European champions’ bench but could not find a breakthrough.
Egypt lead Belgium in the day’s second match. Emam Ashour opened the scoring with a thunderous strike past Thibaut Courtois as they look for their first ever World Cup win.
Iran’s national team has also arrived in the US for their first match of the tournament amid visa denials for team members and strict travel curfews. Iran will kick off their campaign against New Zealand at 2am UK time (6pm local time) in Los Angeles.
Donald Trump and Iran signed a peace deal on Sunday to end the conflict.
In the other game today, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay will kick off their campaigns at 11pm UK time.
New UpdatesView PostView PostView PostView PostView PostView PostToday21:15 BST
Egypt have come out of the blocks flying in this second half and could well have doubled their advantage if either of Mostafa Zico or Omar Marmoush did not fluff their lines inside the penalty area.
Matthew AbbottToday21:00 BST
Egypt holding on would not even come close to the surprise that Cape Verde caused by keeping Spain out earlier. Roberto Lopes was one of their standout players, and the Irish-born defender is using a Meta Quest headset to train his awareness, decision-making and scanning during the tournament.
Football technology company Be Your Best are helping Lopes by using cognitive science and virtual reality to elevate his cognitive abilities and game IQ. Romeo Lavia is among their investors, with the likes of Aurelien Tchouameni, Dejan Kulusevski, Endrick and Marc Guehi previously using the technology.
Pico Lopes challenges Pedri during the World Cup game between Cape Verde and Spain(Image: Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Emam Ashour ensures that Egypt have ticked off one World Cup milestone: they lead a match at the tournament going into the break for the first time. Can they hold on?
Matthew AbbottToday20:35 BST
Egypt are dominating possession despite taking the lead just before the hydration break and have continued where they left off as this first half continues.
Matthew AbbottToday20:21 BST
Egypt lead Belgium after a thunderous strike from Emam Ashour that left Thibaut Courtois with no chance. That was their first shot of the match, and what a strike it was!
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JUNE 15: (EDITOR’S NOTE: Image was captured using a remote camera positioned above the field of play.) Thibaut Courtois #1 of Belgium concedes a first goal to Emam Ashour #8 (not pictured) of Egypt during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G match between Belgium and Egypt at Seattle Stadium on June 15, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Sarah Stier – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
FIFA president Gianni Infantino is in the stands at Lumen Field in Seattle for this one. Attacks for both sides during the opening stages.
Matthew AbbottToday19:55 BST
Iran fans will be banned from displaying pre-revolutionary flags during the World Cup, according to The Athletic.
An expedited hearing this morning came days after the lawsuit was filed last week in Los Angeles County Superior Court. Judge Curtis A. Kin ruled that the ban should stand.
FIFA’s ban on Iran’s ‘pre-revolutionary’ flag has been upheld(Image: Henry NICHOLLS / AFP via Getty Images)
Belgium – 11/10
Draw – 3/1
Egypt 19/4
Visit Betway for the latest World Cup odds
Matthew AbbottToday19:30 BST
Belgium face Egypt next up in one of the more well-balanced group stage games on paper, for what that matters after Cape Verde ripped up the World Cup script…
Matthew AbbottToday19:15 BST
Betway opened their market for Spain vs Cape Verde with the 0-0 draw priced at 25/1. That was shortened to 14/1 before kick-off, but still emphasises what a shock this is.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JUNE 15: Vozinha #1 of Cabo Verde makes a save during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match between Spain and Cabo Verde at Atlanta Stadium on June 15, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Maddie Meyer – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Lee Dixon was almost in tears on ITV after co-commentating on Cape Verde drawing with Spain.
I have to say, you might hear it in my voice, I am a bit emotional. It’s absolutely fantastic, a brilliant, brilliant performance. They deserve that point more than anything and Spain almost don’t deserve a point. They will walk off disappointed but this night is Cape Verde’s. What a performance, every single one of them. The centre-halves, the full-backs. That man there (Vozinha), crying, I am nearly crying myself.
Spain’s midfielder #16 Rodri (L) reacts after next to Cape Verde’s goalkeeper #01 Vozinha (C) after missing a goal opportunity during the 2026 World Cup Group H football match between Spain and Cape Verde at the Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta on June 15, 2026. (Photo by Roberto SCHMIDT / AFP via Getty Images)
The first 0-0 draw of this World Cup is up there with one of the most surprising in tournament history as Cape Verde hold on against Spain.
Matthew AbbottToday18:51 BST
Cape Verde are now putting their bodies on the line to deny Spain. Pico Lopes is the latest to do so, throwing himself in front of a Mikel Oyarzabal volley and deflecting it behind.
Matthew AbbottToday18:41 BST
Lamine Yamal has undoubtedly made a difference off the bench, but Spain are still yet to create a clear cut chance to open the scoring.
Matthew AbbottToday18:31 BST
The answer is around 20 minutes as Lamine Yamal is coming on for Spain after this second-half hydration break. Gavi makes way for his Barcelona team-mate, with Mikel Merino also replacing Fabian Ruiz as part of a double change.
Matthew AbbottToday18:21 BST
How many minutes do Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams have in their legs?
Matthew AbbottToday17:57 BST
Mikel Oyarzabal somehow managed not to touch the ball inside the opening 30 minutes of that half, which is a first for any player at any World Cup since 1966, since Opta’s records began.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JUNE 15: Mikel Oyarzabal #21 of Spain looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match between Spain and Cabo Verde at Atlanta Stadium on June 15, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
Cape Verde have still yet to concede at the World Cup, something I wasn’t expecting to be typing at half-time. They have their 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha to thank for that, after making multiple smart saves, but Ferran Torres, in particular, has been profligate in front of goal for Spain.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JUNE 15: Vozinha #1 of Cabo Verde reacts before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match between Spain and Cabo Verde at Atlanta Stadium on June 15, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Maddie Meyer – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
The favourites are finally turning their possession into chances, with Ferran Torres having two efforts at goal, albeit the first came after being flagged offside. He fired a Marc Cucurella knockback at the crossbar before Vozinha saved from Mikel Oyarzabal on the rebound. Cape Verde are also starting to come out of their shell at the other end.
Matthew AbbottToday17:35 BST
Sidny Cabral has bailed out his Cape Verde team-mates after Spain capitalised on some sloppy play in defence that led to Ferran Torres playing Mikel Oyarzabal through. The defender slid in the stop them in their tracks.
Matthew AbbottToday17:27 BST
Cape Verde have kept Spain out long enough to enter the first hydration break without conceding. Yesterday, their fellow World Cup debutants let one in against Germany inside six minutes, albeit they did manage to equalise just as the ‘first quarter’ ended.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JUNE 15: Fans of Cabo Verde display their national flag and a replica FIFA World Cup trophy in the stands prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match between Spain and Cabo Verde at Atlanta Stadium on June 15, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Juan Luis Diaz/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
The tournament favourites, Spain, are understandably edging these early exchanges, testing Cape Verde with a couple of crosses from wide. The debutants are showing signs that they could cause problems on the counter, though.
Matthew AbbottToday17:07 BST
Spain thought they had the first corner of this match, only for VAR to overrule the referee’s decision, made by our man in the middle, Jordan’s Adham Makhadmeh.
Matthew AbbottToday17:02 BST
The anthems are out of the way and Cape Verde have now kicked off their World Cup debut against tournament favourites Spain.
Spain’s forward #19 Lamine Yamal (L) listens to the national anthem ahead of the 2026 World Cup Group H football match between Spain and Cape Verde at the Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta on June 15, 2026. (Photo by Roberto SCHMIDT / AFP via Getty Images)
The story of Cape Verde approaching Pico Lopes through LinkedIn to play for their national team left Emma Hayes hailing how incredible a tale it is on ITV.
What a beautiful story. He’s gone from setting up a LinkedIn account for future work opportunities without knowing that one day he would play in a World Cup. It’s an incredible story…
Pico Lopes poses during the official FIFA World Cup 2026 portrait session(Image: Maddie Meyer – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
- Spain – 1/14
- Draw – 12/1
- Cape Verde – 28/1
Betway spokesperson Lewis Knowles:
Spain have been very popular in our outright betting for some time, so supporters will no doubt be looking for a comfortable success over Cape Verde in their opening game. At 1/14, they aren’t quite as short as Germany were against Curacao yesterday, but scorelines of 3-0 and 4-0 have been well backed in the buildup to this game, so punters are clearly expecting a tough evening for Cape Verde on their World Cup debut.
Visit Betway for the latest World Cup odds
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JUNE 15: Lamine Yamal #19 of Spain and teammates inspect the pitch before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match between Spain and Cabo Verde at Atlanta Stadium on June 15, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Patrick Smith – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
World Cup debutants Cape Verde have named their starting XI to face Spain.
Matthew AbbottToday16:02 BST
Marc Cucurella starts for Spain less than 24 hours after signing for Real Madrid. Lamine Yamal, however, is only fit enough to feature as a substitute, despite Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente describing the Barcelona player as being in “perfect condition”.
Matthew AbbottToday15:45 BST
Portugal will pay tribute to Diogo Jota during the World Cup by wearing commemorative wristbands. Prime Minister Luis Montenegro has given players them as a gift, with the accessory featuring the names of every squad member, as well as that of Jota.
Vitinha explained:
Basically, the story of the wristband is, when we went to meet with the Prime Minister, he offered us this wristband. They made sure that it was a wristband that we could wear on the pitch. It has all the specifics for us to be able to enter the pitch with it, with the name of all the players plus the special name of Diogo Jota. He let us choose if we wanted to use it or not, how (we use it), during the day or during the match. We received it with a lot of affection and we chose to use it.
Matthew AbbottToday15:30 BST
Tahith Chong insists minnows Curacao have been handed a rude awakening at the World Cup. And he has urged Dick Advocaat’s men to learn from the experience to stand a realistic chance of facing more humiliation in North America.
Curacao’s first ever game in a World Cup ended with a seven goal hammering from Germany in the Houston Stadium. And former Manchester United midfielder Chong admits it was a rude awakening to what is needed at the highest level.
Chong said:
It’s amazing for the people back home. It’s a proud moment for them and a part of history as well. But for us we are disappointed with the result. How the game went and everything. I think it’s a learning curve. When you’re sat in front of the TV (watching the big teams in World Cups), it’s completely different to being out on the pitch. We’ve now seen how the likes of Germany play, and I think we are going to learn from this. Hopefully in the next two games we can be more prepared. We’re disappointed with the result, but we’ve spoken amongst ourselves about how we can be better and improve. There were moments when we could have done better.
Curacao face Ecuador on Saturday before finishing their group campaign with a clash with Ivory Coast. And while Chong admits he is proud to be part of his nation creating history, he is more concerned with focusing on the football and can look back on the occasion and what it means once he’s retired.
He added:
Because of the competitiveness in me, I’m not thinking about the occasion. In years to come, when I’m retired, I’ll have time to look back. There’s so much focus right now about being in the zone, representing your country in a big way, that I’ll leave the historic moment for the people back home. The main focus for us is to learn from this game and prepare much better for the next two.
Tahith Chong believes Curacao will learn from their battering by Germany(Image: Lars Baron/Getty Images)