The World Cup action continues this afternoon as Spain face Cape Verde in the Group H curtain-raiser in Atlanta. On paper, it is another huge mismatch to follow Germany’s 7-1 rout of Curacao, as many people’s tournament favourites take on more finals debutants.
Spain vs Cape Verde: Overview
Spain are the reigning European champions who will be eager to make up for three disappointing showings on football’s grandest stage following their first triumph in 2010, with a shock group stage exit followed by back-to-back last-16 defeats. La Roja will have teenage superstar Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams both back available for their first game, as well as Victor Munoz, though head coach Luis de la Fuente warned that they were unlikely to start after respective hamstring injuries.
Cape Verde's Squad and Ambitions
Cape Verde’s 26-man squad are based entirely overseas, with the bulk of them in Europe - including ex-Nottingham Forest duo Ryan Mendes and Nuno da Costa. The Blue Sharks may be something of an unknown quantity to a global audience, but have reached the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals twice since 2013 and will want to prove they can compete in a group that also contains Iran and New Zealand.
Spain vs Cape Verde Latest News
- Kick-off time: 5pm BST, Atlanta Stadium
- How to watch: ITV
- Spain team news: Yamal likely to be on bench
Will Lamine Yamal Play for Spain?
Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams both returned to full training for Spain last week after missing the end of the LaLiga season with respective hamstring injuries. La Roja head coach Luis de la Fuente confirmed yesterday that both players - along with Osasuna winger Victor Munoz, who has recovered from a calf issue - were now available for selection after missing the warm-up friendlies against Iraq and Peru. He went as far as to describe Yamal’s condition as now “perfect”, though suggested that he is likely to be on the bench initially at his first World Cup, having not played since April 22 following a muscle tear sustained on Barcelona duty. Spain are without Yamal’s Barca team-mate Fermin Lopez, who will miss the entire World Cup with a broken bone in his right foot that required surgery. He is expected to be sidelined for around three months.
Where to Watch Spain vs Cape Verde
TV channel: Spain vs Cape Verde will be televised live and free-to-air in the UK on ITV1, with coverage starting at 4pm BST. Live stream: UK viewers can also catch the contest live online via the ITVX app - which is free with a registration - or ITV website.
Spain vs Cape Verde Live
It’s day five at the 2026 World Cup, where another busy four-game slate awaits - kicking off with Spain vs Cape Verde. Monday afternoon’s Group H curtain-raiser in Atlanta sees the reigning European champions - with Lamine Yamal now back from injury - and many people’s tournament favourites open their campaign against finals debutants at Mercedez-Benz Stadium. There will be fears of another total mismatch after Germany’s 7-1 demolition of Curacao in Houston on Sunday, but Cape Verde will be eager to prove they are no pushovers in an otherwise weaker group that also contains Iran and New Zealand, who meet in Los Angeles later on. Kick-off in our first match of the day is at 5pm BST, so stay tuned for build-up, team news and live game updates.
