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
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 Arrives in US
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.
Other Matches
In the other game today, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay will kick off their campaigns at 11pm UK time.
Key Events
- Cape Verde have done it!
- Lamine Yamal only fit enough for the Spain bench vs Cape Verde
- Lamine Yamal spotted in Walmart ahead of World Cup debut match
- Tunisia reportedly sack head coach after just one match
- FIFA set to investigate World Cup referee accused of making 'white power' gesture
- Today's World Cup matches
Egypt Lead at the Break
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?
No Breakthrough for Belgium
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.
What a Goal for Egypt
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!
Gianni Infantino Watching
FIFA president Gianni Infantino is in the stands at Lumen Field in Seattle for this one. Attacks for both sides during the opening stages.
Iran Ban Upheld
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.
Belgium vs Egypt Odds
Belgium - 11/10, Draw - 3/1, Egypt 19/4. Visit Betway for the latest World Cup odds.
Team News: Mohamed Salah Starts
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.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde Was 25/1
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.
Lee Dixon Emotional Tribute
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."
Cape Verde Hold On
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.
Pico Lopes Heroics
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.
Spain Step It Up
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.
Lamine Yamal Comes On
Lamine Yamal is coming on for Spain after the 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.
Still 0-0
It's still 0-0 here in Atlanta as Cape Verde continue to hold on. How many minutes do Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams have in their legs?
Oyarzabal Goes Missing
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.
Vozinha Star of First Half
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.
Spain Force Save
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.
Sidny Cabral Saves
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 to stop them in their tracks.
0-0 After First Quarter
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.
Spain on Top
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.
VAR Involved
Spain thought they had the first corner of this match, only for VAR to overrule the referee's decision.
Cape Verde Kick Off
The anthems are out of the way and Cape Verde have now kicked off their World Cup debut against tournament favourites Spain.
Pico Lopes Story
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."
Spain vs Cape Verde Odds
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."
Cape Verde Team
World Cup debutants Cape Verde have named their starting XI to face Spain.
Yamal on Bench
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".
Portugal to Honour Diogo Jota
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."
Tahith Chong on Curacao
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. 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. I think it's a learning curve. When you're sat in front of the TV, 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."
Jeremy Doku Dilemma
Belgium and Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku shared that his heavily pregnant wife could give birth to their child soon. The 24-year-old told reporters his wife Shireen is due in the second week of July, when the World Cup reaches the quarterfinals. Doku said: "It depends on when it happens, but it's my first child, so I would definitely want to be there. If you ask me what I want, my answer is that nobody wants to miss the birth of their first child. But I also know that football involves many other considerations."
Yamal in Walmart
Spain star Lamine Yamal was spotted in Walmart without being bothered by other shoppers. A video posted online caught the 18-year-old Barcelona striker on a normal trip to the supermarket with two pals and a full trolley. Yamal was seen at a Walmart shop in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, around 10 miles from Spain's camp on the Tennessee River in Chattanooga.
