Spain Kicks Off World Cup 2026 Journey Against Cape Verde; Yamal Fit
Spain is set to begin its World Cup 2026 campaign, aiming to upgrade its European champion status. The team will face Cape Verde in their opening match, with Barcelona star Lamine Yamal confirmed fit and available for selection off the bench. This highly anticipated fixture will be Cape Verde's World Cup debut, offering them an opportunity to test themselves against a tournament favorite. The match is scheduled for Monday, June 15, at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.
Spain is preparing to commence its pursuit of the World Cup 2026 title, aiming to build upon its recent success as European champions. Luis de la Fuente’s squad will open their tournament against Cape Verde.
Concerns regarding the fitness of Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal have been eased, as he is now confirmed to be available for a potential role off the bench. This is a significant boost for the Spanish side. For Cape Verde, which is the second-smallest country by land area after Curacao, this match represents a notable opportunity to compete against a favored team in their World Cup debut.
The match between Spain and Cape Verde is slated for Monday, June 15, with a kick-off time of 5pm BST (12pm EST). The game will take place at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.
For viewers in the United Kingdom, the match will be broadcast free-to-air on ITV 1, ITV X, STV, and STV Player. Coverage is scheduled to begin at 11am BST, and a live stream will also be accessible via ITVX.
In terms of Spain's potential starting lineup, Ferran Torres and Alex Baena are expected to flank Mikel Oyarzabal in attack. Nico Williams, suffering from a hamstring injury, and Victor Munoz, experiencing fatigue, could be unavailable for selection.
Predicted lineups include: Spain XI: Simon; Llorente, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Fabian, Rodri, Pedri; Torres, Oyarzabal, Baena Cape Verde XI: Vozinha; Moreira, Costa, Pico, Paulo; Semedo, Pina; Mendes, Monteiro, Cabral; Dailon
Bookmakers have set the odds for the match, with Spain favored to win at 1/12. A draw is listed at 9/1, while a victory for Cape Verde carries odds of 28/1.
According to Yahoo Sports Soccer, this match marks an important start for both teams in the World Cup 2026 tournament.
