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The 2026 World Cup rolls into its fifth day on Monday, June 15, with a slate featuring several high-level teams making their tournament debuts. This includes the reigning European champions, Spain, along with the always explosive Belgium. Following Saturday’s interesting results, including Brazil and Morocco fighting to a 1-1 draw and Scotland narrowly edging Haiti 1-0 to open Group C, Sunday was much the opposite. Germany pummeled Curacao 7-1 in Group E, the Netherlands and Japan played to a 2-2 draw, complete with a late equalizer from the latter in Group F, while Australia stunned Turkey 2-0 in Group D and Ivory Coast’s late game-winner gave them a 1-0 victory over Ecuador in Group E.
Now the spotlight shifts to a full Monday slate that not only features the tournament favorites in Spain, but a few teams many believe could be primed to pull off an upset or two. We're breaking down the day's schedule and predictions for each matchup.
The Spain-Cape Verde opener kicks off a busy Group H and Group G day, with all four matches scheduled between noon ET and 9 p.m. ET in stadiums across the United States.
When the powerhouse favorites begin their 2026 World Cup, they’ll do so against an opponent making their World Cup debut. Spain boasts the No. 1 ranking in the world and enters the tournament as the reigning European champions after lifting Euro 2024. They also won the gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Luis de la Fuente's side cruised through UEFA Group E qualifying with five wins and a draw across six games, scoring 21 goals and conceding just two. Captained by Rodri and built around the brilliance of teenage phenom Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Mikel Oyarzabal, this is arguably the most complete squad at the tournament.
Cape Verde, by contrast, is the smallest African nation by population to ever reach the World Cup, an island country of just over 400,000, making their tournament debut. The Blue Sharks topped CAF Group D with seven wins, two draws, and one loss across ten qualifiers, finishing four points ahead of powerhouse Cameroon
Yamal and Nico Williams are both managing injuries and are expected to have limited roles in Spain’s World Cup opener. As much as fans love a good upset at the World Cup, it’s going to be tough sledding for Cape Verde in its opener, as Spain has one of the most loaded rosters from top-to-bottom.
Prediction: Spain 4-0
This matchup has the potential to be an interesting one, although Belgium enters as a decent-sized favorite, floating around -170. Belgium is looking to wipe the memory of its group-stage exit at the 2022 Qatar World Cup. They topped UEFA Group J unbeaten with five wins and three draws, scoring 29 goals and conceding just seven. Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois remain the core of the squad, although Belgium’s 2026 group features several young additions poised to make noise.
Egypt makes its fourth World Cup appearance and first since 2018 after missing out on Qatar 2022. They rolled through CAF Group A unbeaten, winning eight and drawing two of 10 matches while conceding just two goals. Mohamed Salah, who scored nine in qualifying (second only to Algeria's Mohamed Amoura in CAF), captains the side and has the potential to change games quickly, alongside fellow forward Omar Marmoush from Manchester City.
Egypt has never won a World Cup match, picking up just two draws, and the gap in attacking depth between these sides is an obvious talking point. Belgium has too many ways to hurt opponents, particularly against an Egypt side whose defense faces a significant test. While I do think Egypt finds the back of the net, ultimately, Belgium should pull away for the win.
Prediction: Belgium 3-1
A rematch of the 2018 World Cup group-stage meeting that Uruguay won 1-0, Saudi Arabia has a chance for some redemption. Although. Uruguay is the clear favorite in this matchup; they finished fourth in CONMEBOL qualifying with seven wins, seven draws and four losses across 18 matches.
Uruguay has battled injuries of late that have impacted its back line, but it appears poised to field the bulk of its core, with one or two exceptions still up in the air.
Saudi Arabia is at its seventh World Cup and third consecutive, but took the hard route to get here, finishing third in the AFC third round behind Japan and Australia before topping their fourth-round group over Iraq and Indonesia. The team parted ways with coach Hervé Renard in April 2026 after a turbulent qualifying campaign, and Greek coach Georgios Donis took over.
This is the kind of game where Saudi Arabia's organization and structure could help keep it close, but Uruguay’s quality on both sides of the ball, and specifically its offensive upside, should prove the difference.
Prediction: Uruguay 1-0
One of the Group G opening matches could ultimately decide which team finishes third in the group and has a realistic chance of advancing as one of the eight best third-place teams. Iran arrived in North America as one of the AFC's most consistent participants in the World Cup. This marks their seventh overall appearance in the World Cup and fourth in a row.
Iran impressed in AFC qualifying, going 11-4-1 across 16 qualifying matches between rounds two and three, scoring 35 goals. Mehdi Taremi was the engine of the campaign, scoring 10 goals, and he was also involved in nearly half of the team’s total through qualifying.
New Zealand makes its return to the World Cup for the first time since 2010, ending a 16-year absence. They rolled through qualifying without even finishing with a draw in a single match and defeated New Caledonia in the OFC final at Eden Park to claim Oceania's first-ever direct World Cup berth.
Iran's tactical experience and Taremi's individual talent should prove the difference-maker in what will likely be a low-scoring game. New Zealand will frustrate and have its opportunities, but in this kind of contest, the matchup aligns well for one big break to make the difference, and Taremi is more than talented enough to help his side pick up three points in its opener.
Prediction: Iran 1-0
This article originally appeared on For The Win: World Cup games today: Predictions for Spain-Cape Verde, Belgium-Egypt and more
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Now the spotlight shifts to a full Monday slate that not only features the tournament favorites in Spain, but a few teams many believe could be primed to pull off an upset or two. We're breaking down the day's schedule and predictions for each matchup.
Today's World Cup schedule: Spain's tournament opener headlines a 4-game Monday
The Spain-Cape Verde opener kicks off a busy Group H and Group G day, with all four matches scheduled between noon ET and 9 p.m. ET in stadiums across the United States.
2026 World Cup schedule: Monday, June 15
- Spain vs. Cape Verde at 12:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
- Belgium vs. Egypt at 3:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Lumen Field, Seattle, Washington
- Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay at 6:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, Florida
- Iran vs. New Zealand at 9:00 p.m. ET
- Location: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
Spain vs. Cape Verde predictions and pick
When the powerhouse favorites begin their 2026 World Cup, they’ll do so against an opponent making their World Cup debut. Spain boasts the No. 1 ranking in the world and enters the tournament as the reigning European champions after lifting Euro 2024. They also won the gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Luis de la Fuente's side cruised through UEFA Group E qualifying with five wins and a draw across six games, scoring 21 goals and conceding just two. Captained by Rodri and built around the brilliance of teenage phenom Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Mikel Oyarzabal, this is arguably the most complete squad at the tournament.
Cape Verde, by contrast, is the smallest African nation by population to ever reach the World Cup, an island country of just over 400,000, making their tournament debut. The Blue Sharks topped CAF Group D with seven wins, two draws, and one loss across ten qualifiers, finishing four points ahead of powerhouse Cameroon
Yamal and Nico Williams are both managing injuries and are expected to have limited roles in Spain’s World Cup opener. As much as fans love a good upset at the World Cup, it’s going to be tough sledding for Cape Verde in its opener, as Spain has one of the most loaded rosters from top-to-bottom.
Prediction: Spain 4-0
Belgium vs. Egypt predictions and pick
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This matchup has the potential to be an interesting one, although Belgium enters as a decent-sized favorite, floating around -170. Belgium is looking to wipe the memory of its group-stage exit at the 2022 Qatar World Cup. They topped UEFA Group J unbeaten with five wins and three draws, scoring 29 goals and conceding just seven. Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois remain the core of the squad, although Belgium’s 2026 group features several young additions poised to make noise.
Egypt makes its fourth World Cup appearance and first since 2018 after missing out on Qatar 2022. They rolled through CAF Group A unbeaten, winning eight and drawing two of 10 matches while conceding just two goals. Mohamed Salah, who scored nine in qualifying (second only to Algeria's Mohamed Amoura in CAF), captains the side and has the potential to change games quickly, alongside fellow forward Omar Marmoush from Manchester City.
Egypt has never won a World Cup match, picking up just two draws, and the gap in attacking depth between these sides is an obvious talking point. Belgium has too many ways to hurt opponents, particularly against an Egypt side whose defense faces a significant test. While I do think Egypt finds the back of the net, ultimately, Belgium should pull away for the win.
Prediction: Belgium 3-1
Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay predictions and pick
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A rematch of the 2018 World Cup group-stage meeting that Uruguay won 1-0, Saudi Arabia has a chance for some redemption. Although. Uruguay is the clear favorite in this matchup; they finished fourth in CONMEBOL qualifying with seven wins, seven draws and four losses across 18 matches.
Uruguay has battled injuries of late that have impacted its back line, but it appears poised to field the bulk of its core, with one or two exceptions still up in the air.
Saudi Arabia is at its seventh World Cup and third consecutive, but took the hard route to get here, finishing third in the AFC third round behind Japan and Australia before topping their fourth-round group over Iraq and Indonesia. The team parted ways with coach Hervé Renard in April 2026 after a turbulent qualifying campaign, and Greek coach Georgios Donis took over.
This is the kind of game where Saudi Arabia's organization and structure could help keep it close, but Uruguay’s quality on both sides of the ball, and specifically its offensive upside, should prove the difference.
Prediction: Uruguay 1-0
Iran vs. New Zealand predictions and pick
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One of the Group G opening matches could ultimately decide which team finishes third in the group and has a realistic chance of advancing as one of the eight best third-place teams. Iran arrived in North America as one of the AFC's most consistent participants in the World Cup. This marks their seventh overall appearance in the World Cup and fourth in a row.
Iran impressed in AFC qualifying, going 11-4-1 across 16 qualifying matches between rounds two and three, scoring 35 goals. Mehdi Taremi was the engine of the campaign, scoring 10 goals, and he was also involved in nearly half of the team’s total through qualifying.
New Zealand makes its return to the World Cup for the first time since 2010, ending a 16-year absence. They rolled through qualifying without even finishing with a draw in a single match and defeated New Caledonia in the OFC final at Eden Park to claim Oceania's first-ever direct World Cup berth.
Iran's tactical experience and Taremi's individual talent should prove the difference-maker in what will likely be a low-scoring game. New Zealand will frustrate and have its opportunities, but in this kind of contest, the matchup aligns well for one big break to make the difference, and Taremi is more than talented enough to help his side pick up three points in its opener.
Prediction: Iran 1-0
This article originally appeared on For The Win: World Cup games today: Predictions for Spain-Cape Verde, Belgium-Egypt and more
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