That's a wrap for our live coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 match between Spain and Cape Verde. But World Cup action today has only just begun. Head on over to our live coverage of the Belgium vs Egypt match, which starts in just over half an hour. (BELGIUM vs EGYPT LIVE)

Thanks for joining, and see you there!

Today's result comes as an alarm bell for Spain. Yes, Lamine Yamal played only 20 minutes. Yes, Nico Williams played barely 10 minutes. But despite having such a talented squad, they've failed to beat Cape Verde. Couple this with the 1-1 friendly draw against Iraq before the World Cup, and Spain have some issues to start when it comes to their final output.

It's the first shock result of FIFA World Cup 2026. No one, perhaps not even Cape Verde themselves, would've fancied a draw against Spain, who are among the big favourites to win the whole tournament. It's not a win, but it's still a result that will be remembered for years to come.

FULL TIME! What a result for Cape Verde! A point on World Cup debut, against the mighty Spain. A sensational defensive performance gives the FIFA World Cup 2026 debutants a draw in their first-ever World Cup match. Against all odds, they've stopped Lamine Yamal and co.

FT | ESP 0-0 CPV

Cape Verde come away on the counter-attack in the 94th minute, but instead of going towards the box, they take a shot from range that goes wide of Spain's goal. That's a big chance gone for Cape Verde, who are a minute away from clinching their first-ever World Cup point.

90 4' ESP 0-0 CPV

A chance for Spain is denied by a heroic block in the 88th minute by Cape Verde. Moments later, Cape Verde get a corner at the other end. It's a bullet header from the corner, but straight into Unai Simon's arms.

Meanwhile, Nico Williams is on for Spain to try and create a late impact. We will have five minutes of added time. Can Cape Verde clinch a historic first-ever World Cup point in their first-ever game?

90' ESP 0-0 CPV

After Yamal's early chance-creating pass, Cape Verde's defence has kept him quiet. Cape Verde are quick to react whenever Yamal gets on the ball, closing him down in a flash. 

82' ESP 0-0 CPV

Lamine Yamal immediately gets into space on the right wing and plays it towards a man into the box, but the final shot from Spain is straight at Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha. It's an instnt impact from Yamal, who is already involved in the action.

73' ESP 0-0 CPV

The wait is over! Lamine Yamal is here, at long last. He is brought on with 20 minutes or so left in the FIFA World Cup 2026 match against Cape Verde. A huge roar from the crowd in Atlanta. Can he inspire Spain to victory in this match?

71' ESP 0-0 CPV

Time for the second hydration break of the match. Spain are yet to make a single substitution, but surely, surely Lamine Yamal is going to come on soon. Spain need his incisive ability to break down this staunch Cape Verde defence. 

67' ESP 0-0 CPV

Lamine Yamal is warming up on the sidelines, but Spain are yet to make any changes. Cape Verde, on the other hand, are bringing on three substitutions in the 61st minute. Fresh legs for Cape Verde, as they look to keep their defensive shape strong.

61' ESP 0-0 CPV

Cross in from the left wing towards Gavi in the box, who gets past the Cape Verde defence and slams a header, but it's straight into the arms of Vozinha. Moments later, centre-back Aymeric Laporte takes a long shot, but it's well over the bar. He screams it frustration. Spain's agony continues, as the clock ticks towards the hour mark.

56' ESP 0-0 CPV

Once again, Spain win back the ball in the Cape Verde half. Oyarzabal finds himself in a bit of space on the left. Anticipating the cross, Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha had come out of his line, but Oyarzabal's cross is horribly timed, and it turns into a shot and hits the side-netting! Had that swayed a little more, Cape Verde would've conceded an unfortunate goal.

54' ESP 0-0 CPV

Cape Verde are looking to launch a couple of counter-attacks but they're letting themselves down with poor passes. Spain win the ball back in Cape Verde's half, Fabian Ruiz cuts in from the right and into some space, but his shot at goal goes well over the bar. Poor effort from the midfielder.

Surely not long before we see some Spanish changes.

51' ESP 0-0 CPV

Marc Cucurella has been one of Spain's main attacking threats in this match so far, and he creates another chance with a cross in towards the box. The header from Ferran Torres goes off target, though.

48' ESP 0-0 CPV

We are back! The second half begins in Atlanta, in the FIFA World Cup 2026 game between Spain and Cape Verde. Surprisingly, no changes made by Luis de la Fuente in attack for Spain. Lamine Yamal remains on the bench, for now. 

46' ESP 0-0 CPV 

For the first time since November 2024, Spain have failed to score in the first half of a competitive match. That marks a period of 18 months in between. Fans of Spain will hope that Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams come on in the second half and provide some kind of spark. 

HALF TIME! 45 minutes are up in Atlanta, but Spain have been unable to score a single goal. They've hit the post once, dominated 70% possession, and been denied by three superb saves by Cape Verde's 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha. 

Is it a matter of time before Lamine Yamal comes on?

HT | ESP 0-0 CPV

Another low shot by Spain is saved by Vozinha with an outstretched right arm. A half to remember for the 40-year-old, who plays for Liga Portugal 2 club Chavez. We are into four minutes of added time, but it doesn't seem like Spain will be able to break the deadlock in the first half.

45' ESP 0-0 CPV

Rodri finds Marc Cucurella's overlapping run in the box, and the Spain left-back squares it for Ferran Torres, who hits the crossbar! Spain take another shot on the rebound, but once again, the Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha makes another sensational save, tipping it just over the bar.

What a game Vozinha is having. 40 years old and he's turned into Superman in Atlanta!

39' ESP 0-0 CPV

A venomous shot by Fabian Ruiz from the edge of the box is tipped over the crossbar by Cape Verde! Spain put in another cross into the box, but the knockdown fell to Fabian, who took the shot. Moments earlier, Cape Verde had spotted Unai Simon off his line and tried a shot from their own half, but it was wide.

37' ESP 0-0 CPV

For a moment, it seemed like Mikel Oyarzabal had been sent through on goal on the right side of the box, but a poor first touch sees the ball go away from him. Cape Verde's defence pounces on the error in a flash, and Oyarzabal's space goes away almost immediately. Big chance wasted by Spain.

31' ESP 0-0 CPV

Spain left-back Marc Cucurella's cross gets blocked, but the rebound falls back to him and he takes a firm shot on the volley. Unfortunately for him, the shot goes well over the far. Spain will be disappointed to not have broken the deadlock so far. Encouraging signs from Cape Verde.

30' ESP 0-0 CPV

Time for the first hydration break, and it's goalless so far. Spain have not been able to break down a resolute Cape Verde defence so far, despite enjoying 69% possession. Safe to say that Spain are missing a bit of cutting edge in Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams' absence. 

25' ESP 0-0 CPV

Cape Verde defender Sidny Cabral has been shown a yellow card, shortly after Pedri took a shot at goal towards the edge of the box. Spain are continuing to exchange a lot of passes near the Cape Verde box, but they're just not being able to find the decisive pass or shot.

16' ESP 0-0 CPV

Spain are going the aerial route to try and break down the Cape Verde defence, and it's not working. Interesting to see Spain opt for such a direct approach, given they don't have a target man up front. Borja Iglesias is the only target man in Spain's squad, but he is on the bench.

11' ESP 0-0 CPV

A strong challenge by Marcos Llorente on a Cape Verde winger to stop a counter-attack. The referee does not call a foul, and the Cape Verde are furious at that decision. 

10' ESP 0-0 CPV

Spain are navigating the ball well in midfield and looking to find overlapping runs over the top on the wings. But no clear-cut chance has been created in the first eight minutes of the match. Cape Verde are sitting in a low block and defending the box very well.

8' ESP 0-0 CPV

WE ARE LIVE! The first match in Group H between Spain and Cape Verde is underway! It's the World Cup debutants who get proceedings underway. Spain regain possession within 20 seconds, though. Spain are attacking from left to right.

1' ESP 0-0 CPV

The players have lined up in the tunnel, and are about to enter the Atlanta Stadium. Normally known as the Mercedes-Benz Arena, MLS side Atlanta United play in their home games here. Soon, we are going to have the national anthems.

Spain's warm-up matches ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026 showed that they may struggle to create chances in Lamine Yamal's absence. While Rodri, Pedri and Fabian will ensure that Spain dictate the tempo of the game and keep most of the ball, they lack a player with some cutting edge when it comes to the final pass. Spain drew 1-1 with Iraq in a friendly leading up to the World Cup, without Yamal.

Nevertheless, the squad should still have enough talent to comfortably beat Cape Verde.

We are just about half an hour away from the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match between Spain and Cape Verde. It is the first match in Group H, which also features Uruguay and Saudi Arabia. The Spain players have begun warming up ahead of the match.

Cape Verde, an West African country with an estimated population of just 530,000, are going to make their FIFA World Cup debut today. They are ranked 67th in the world by FIFA, and are clearly the underdogs heading into today's match. But their qualification is among the many wonderful stories of the expanded 48-team World Cup.

A major development took place just a few hours ahead of Spain's opening match, as Spain left-back Marc Cucurella was signed by Real Madrid from Chelsea. That makes Cucurella the first Real Madrid player in Spain's FIFA World Cup 2026 squad. Initially, no Real Madrid player had been picked in Spain's 26-man squad.

In the absence of Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, the one to watch out for in the Spain team would be Pedri. The magician in midfield is set to dictate the tempo of the match today, and will be Cape Verde's biggest headache. The trio of Pedri, Rodri and Fabian Ruiz helped Spain to Euros glory in 2024, and are all starting today.

For Cape Verde, winger Jovane Cabral and midfielder Jamiro Monteiro will be the ones to watch out for.

Cape Verde XI vs Spain: Cape Verde have announced their starting lineup for their first-ever FIFA World Cup match. Keep an eye out for Jovane Cabral and Jamiro Monteiro, who will be at the centre of Cape Verde's attacks.

Cape Verde XI vs. Spain.

History on its way as the Blue Sharks make their World Cup debut. #FIFAWorldCup #ESPCPV pic.twitter.com/28j9ufsaKm

— Soar Africa! (@SSE_NGA) June 15, 2026

Gavi is starting in the Spain forward line against Cape Verde, likely as the left-winger or a false 9. That's a major call taken by Luis de la Fuente. It will be interesting to see what position Gavi, Ferran and Oyarzabal occupy in attack. A big moment for 19-year-old Pau Cubarsi too, who is starting at centre-back.

Ahead of the match, Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente had confirmed that Lamine Yamal is available but won't be fit enough to start the match. The same applies for Nico Williams and pacy winger Victor Munoz. There's a chance Yamal comes off the bench to play.

Spain XI vs Cape Verde: Big news folks. Lamine Yamal is not in the starting lineup against Cape Verde. Neither is his wing partner Nico Williams. Both of them are on the bench, but not fit enough to start. In their absence, Ferran Torres, Gavi and Mikel Oyarzabal will play as Spain's forwards. Unai Simon been given the nod in goal.

OFICIAL | El del debut mundialista.

Nosotros también firmamos nuestro compromiso con vosotros, equipo!#VamosEspaa | #CopaMundialFIFA pic.twitter.com/x0NQnRy9LB

— Seleccin Espaola Masculina de Ftbol (@SEFutbol) June 15, 2026

Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on NDTV Sports! Today is a very exciting day, as one of the favourites of the tournament begin their campaign against a nation making their World Cup debut. It's Spain against Cape Verde, from the Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta!

Stay tuned for all the live updates from the match.