Spain vs Cape Verde live online: score, stats, goals & updates | World Cup 2026 Group H

Half an hour gone in Atlanta, and Spain have next to naff-all in the way of cutting edge.

Having just set up Gavi for a shot at goal, Cucurella now takes one himself.

It is not a good one. From about 30 yards or so out, he slaps it well over the bar.

Here come Spain on their first attack since the cooling break.

Cucurella thunders forward on the left, darting into space to cross from the byline.

In the end, he opts to cut it back to Gavi, who has peeled off into space at the corner of the box. But Gavi's shot bounces back off a a white shirt.

Right away, Moreira hits a bouncing ball from the very right-hand edge of the Spain penalty box.

Again, there's plenty of noise from the Cape Verdean supporters, but Moreira's strike doesn't trouble Unai Simón.

It rebounds off Cucurella, and away.

Peeep! The players have hydrated, and we're back underway in Atlanta.

Water break time!

It has not, in truth, been the most fascinating of first quarters.

There are clearly plenty of Cape Verde fans inside the stadium: there's an audible roar as the Blue Sharks come forward on a somewhat infrequent attack.

This is, in fact, the first time I can recall the Cape Verdeans truly pushing the Spanish defense back and into position on the edge of its penalty box.

On the left, Cabral pops it inside to Duarte. He, in turn, feeds it to the top of the box - where Spain win it back.

Spain's Pau Cubarsí passes the ball under pressure from Cape Verde's Dailon Livramento.

Inside the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the decibels rise as a cross comes in for Oyarzabal, but he can't get a good connection on it.

Cubarsí then picks up the ball and aims a shot at goal from range... but he's not troubling Vozinha with that one.

And now we have the game's first yellow card. As he tries to hold off Llorente's forward foray, Sidny makes rather too liberal use of his arms, and catches the Spaniard in the face.

A free-kick to Spain, and a booking for the left-back.

There's the first shot on target. From five yards or so outside of the box, Pedri drops a shoulder, cuts inside and strikes - but doesn't get hold of it properly.

Pedri's shot trundles through to Vozinha.

Spain's Fabian Ruiz in action in Atlanta, with Cape Verde's Jamiro Monteiro in close attendance.

For pretty much the first time, Cape Verde put a few passes together.

The Blue Sharks work it right, before a long ball is punted forward in search of Livramento's run. He's held off pretty comfortably by Laporte, before flopping to the floor. Spain ball again.

Now Fabián crosses from the left, but it's too close to Vozinha. The Cape Verde goalkeeper gathers with ease.

On the right wing, Marcos Llorente charges forward from right-back, forcing Sidny to slide in and turn it behind. Corner for Spain.

Pedri delivers... but it's not a good corner. Cape Verde clear.

The action in Atlanta remains very much a monologue, as they say in Spanish. All Spain ball, albeit they have done nowt with it yet.

Gavi makes World Cup history

Gavi, by the way, has become the third-youngest player ever to play five games for Spain at the men's World Cup.

At 21 years and 314 days old, he's beaten only by Iker Casillas and Miguel Tendillo.

Spain lose the ball for a moment, giving Sidny the chance to carry the ball forward for Cape Verde.

He quickly loses it, however.

For what I think is the first time, the play crosses the halfway line and enters the Spain half. That's only, though, because the Spaniards themselves have opted to play it backwards for a moment, dropping it into Cubarsí to build the play.

Back come Spain, working it right to Ferran Torres.

Pushed into the corner, he tries to hold off Borges, before thinking he's won a corner. That decision is then overturned by VAR, and it's a goal-kick to Cape Verde.

Right away, Spain take hold of possession, with Cape Verde lined up across the top of their penalty box.

The Spaniards pop it about for a good 90 seconds or so, just inside the Cape Verdean half. Finally, a long ball is aimed at Cucurella on the left, but he can't control.

Peeeep! Spain vs Cape Verde is underway.

Who is the referee?

The man in the middle in Atlanta is Jordan's Adham Makhadmeh.

By the way, that lineups card below seems to have organized Spain's defense into a back three, but I rather think that's not the case. A back four of Llorente, Cubarsí, Laporte and Cucurella seems much more likely.

And a final reminder of the Cape Verdeans' XI:

A last look at the Spain lineup:

And, for the first time in the history of the men's World Cup: the Cape Verdean anthem.

This one, it seems, does have some words. The players sing it with gusto, if minimal musical talent.

Out come the teams!

The players are just now emerging from the tunnel in Atlanta. 

Anthem time: Spain first!

A reminder: the Spanish national anthem has no lyrics.

World Cup 2026

How do hydration breaks work during the 2026 World Cup and how long do they last?

For the full lowdown on FIFA's new water-break rules, check out this piece by my colleague Roddy Cons.

Hydration breaks now a World Cup must

As in the 12 games played already in North America, today's clash will include ‘hydration breaks’ at the midpoint of each half. 

Back in December, FIFA announced that this would be the first men's World Cup to have mandatory water breaks, each lasting for three minutes.

Previously, water breaks had only been used at the World Cup if temperatures crossed a maximum threshold

Spain the statisticians' overwhelming tip today

Having already backed Spain to win the whole thing, it's no surprise that Opta's supercomputer is also rather confident of a victory for La Roja today.

In 25,000 simulations of the game in Atlanta, Spain won 87.2% of the time, Opta said. Cape Verde were victorious in just 4.8% of the simulations.

Spain and Cape Verde fans inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

When was the last time Spain met Cape Verde?

In a word, never. This is the teams' first ever meeting.

In the group stages of the men's World Cup, the last - and only - African team ever to have beaten Spain is Nigeria.

Just under three decades ago, at the 1998 World Cup in France, the Super Eagles earned a stunning 3-2 win over La Roja.

Oliseh's thunder strike, Zubizarreta's rick... Ah, memories from my childhood.

Spain players warm up in Atlanta, ahead of La Roja's World Cup Group H clash with Cape Verde.

What the coaches said: Bubista

World Cup 2026

Luis de la Fuente delivers the Lamine Yamal news Spain fans wanted to hear

If you want to read more of what Luis de la Fuente had to say ahead of Spain's World Cup opener, check out this full report on the La Roja boss's press conference yesterday.

What the coaches said: Luis de la Fuente

Spain - Cabo Verde

Before Spain’s first game, AI delivers a bold World Cup verdict

As we build up to kickoff in Atlanta, which is now just half an hour away, let me also point you in the direction of our full preview article, by my colleague Héctor Martínez.

Check out what Héctor makes of the upcoming match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Cape Verde fans gather outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium before kickoff in Atlanta.

At a glance: Cape Verde's recent form

The Blue Sharks' last five results:

Jun. 6: Cape Verde 3-0 Bermuda, friendly
Mar. 31: Cape Verde 3-0 Serbia, friendly
Mar. 29: Cape Verde 1-1 Finland, FIFA Series*
Mar. 26: Chile 4-2 Cape Verde, FIFA Series
Nov. 17: Egypt 1-1 Cape Verde, friendly**

*Cape Verde won on penalties

**Cape Verde lost on penalties

World Cup 2026

From Curaçao to Cape Verde: these are the countries debuting in the 2026 World Cup

Cape Verde are one of four nations making their World Cup bow this summer.

My colleague Calum Roche has the full lowdown on the quartet of debutants in North America.

How did Cape Verde qualify for the 2026 World Cup?

Led by head coach Bubista, himself a former Cape Verde international, the Blue Sharks booked their ticket to North American at the expense of one of Africa’s World Cup staples.

Cape Verde secured their World Cup berth by topping their first-round qualifying group by a four-point margin over Cameroon.

Although they lost 4-1 away to the Cameroonians in June 2024, Cape Verde then defeated the Indomitable Lions 1-0 in the return last September, to leave themselves within reach of the tournament. A month later, they then clinched qualification with a 3-0 win over Eswatini.

One of the World Cup's smallest nations

It should be little surprise that Cape Verde come to the tournament with such long odds. The Africans are, after all, one of the tiniest ever countries to reach the men's World Cup.

With a population of just under 500,000 Cape Verde is the third-smallest country ever to qualify for the finals.

The only two smaller nations to make a World Cup are Iceland (population: 395,000) and the Cape Verdeans' fellow 2026 debutant, Curaçao, which has just 155,000 inhabitants.

Cape Verde set for World Cup bow

Cape Verde, meanwhile, are Group H's rank outsiders, as the Blue Sharks prepare for their first ever appearance at the men's World Cup.

They have lengthy, +4000 odds of winning their group at the first attempt.

Overall, the bookies have them as the 41st-most likely team to lift the World Cup this summer.

FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group H - Spain v Cape Verde

Spain fans outside the stadium in Atlanta, as La Roja prepares for its World Cup kickoff.

At a glance: Spain's recent form

La Roja's last five results:

Jun. 9: Peru 1-3 Spain, friendly
Jun. 4: Spain 1-1 Iraq, friendly
Mar. 31: Spain 0-0 Egypt, friendly
Mar. 27: Spain 3-0 Serbia, friendly
Nov. 18: Spain 2-2 Turkey, friendly

Spain on a streak

I mentioned just there that Spain are on a lengthy unbeaten streak. 

Well, if you don't count shootout defeats, they last lost a match back in March 2024: a 1-0 friendly defeat to Colombia.

What's more, you have to go back another year to find their last competitive defeat in regular play: a Euro 2024 qualifying loss to Scotland in March 2023.

If you do include penalties, Spain last endured defeat in June 2025, in the UEFA Nations League final. La Roja went down 5-3 on spot-kicks to Portugal in Munich, after a 2-2 draw.

Spain a World Cup staple

Having beaten the Turks to top spot in UEFA qualifying Group E, Spain are at the men's World Cup for the 13th consecutive occasion. The Spaniards last failed to reach the tournament back in 1974.

Per Opta, only Germany - with 19 - are on a longer run of successive World Cups.

How did Spain qualify for the World Cup

Spain, who are currently on a long unbeaten run, topped their UEFA qualifying Group E without losing. 

De la Fuente's men posted five victories and a draw on their way to winning the group ahead of Turkey, by a three-point margin.

Cape Verde fans hold up a replica World Cup trophy as they get ready for their national team's tournament debut.

Cape Verde lineup confirmed

The Cape Verdeans' starting XI is also in: Vozinha, Moreira, Lopes, Borges, Sidny, Lenini, Duarte, Mendes, Monteiro, Cabral, Livramento.

Opta also opts for Spain

Opta, the soccer stats specialists, have been calculating every team's chance of winning the 2026 world title - and Spain is their pick, too. 

Having run 25,000 simulation of this summer's tournament, Opta's ‘supercomputer’ has identified Spain as the likeliest winner, with a 16.1% chance of lifting a second global title. 

Spain sit ahead of France on 13% and England on 11.2%.

Spain backed to go all the way

Anyway, back to matters in Atlanta this afternoon.

A team ranked second in the world, Spain are - unsurprisingly - the bookmakers’ overwhelming favorites to win Group H.

Inded, two years after lifting the European title for a record fourth time, they’re the betting houses' tip to win the whole thing. Luis de la Fuentes' men are the +500 favorites in North America, ahead of France on +600.

World Cup 2026

Sweden’s Mattias Svanberg makes World Cup history against Tunisia

Mattias Svanberg's goal for Sweden places him in the World Cup record books: his goal, scored 18 seconds after his introduction, was the second-fastest by a substitute in the history of the men's tournament.

Svanberg is behind only Richard Morales, who scored after 16 seconds for Uruguay in 2002, against Senegal.

What happened in the World Cup on Sunday?

 On day four of the World Cup, it was Sweden who made the biggest splash: Graham Potter’s men thumped Tunisia 5-1 in their Group F opener.

Yasin Ayari scored two for the Swedes, while substitute Mattias Svanberg netted within less than 20 seconds of coming on.

Elsewhere, the Netherlands and Japan shared the points in a 2-2 draw in Group F, while Group E's action saw four-time champions Germany survive a scare to hammer Curaçao 7-1.

The Germans' healthy goal difference makes them the early leaders of their group, ahead of the Ivory Coast. Also on Sunday, the Ivorians began with a 1-0 win over Ecuador.

Any other World Cup action today?

Yes: In addition to Group H's openers, we also have the first two games in Group G.

Belgium and Egypt face off in Seattle at 2:00 p.m. ET, before Iran meet New Zealand in Los Angeles at 8:00 p.m. ET.

World Cup 2026

Alarm over Uruguay: their plane cannot enter the United States

Ahead of their matchup with the Saudis in Florida, Uruguay had real trouble getting into the U.S.

This weekend, their flight from their training base in Cancún, Mexico, was held up for several hours because their plane lacked the right paperwork to enter the States. 

The Uruguay squad, led by coached Marcelo Bielsa, has since made it to Miami for today's game at Hard Rock Stadium. 

“Due to an airline permitting error in Mexico, the Uruguay national team's departure from Cancun to Miami was delayed,” FIFA, world soccer's governing body, said in a statement.

“The airline has apologised for the inconvenience caused. FIFA remained in close contact with the Uruguay national team throughout their delay and worked alongside airport and operational partners to help expedite the process and minimise disruption to the team's travel arrangements.”

My colleague Joe Brennan has the full story.

Group H opener followed by Saudis vs Uruguay

All four of Group H's teams kick off their World Cup campaigns today.

After Spain vs Cape Verde in Atlanta, Miami's Hard Rock Stadium will be the setting as Saudi Arabia and Uruguay meet at 3:00 p.m. ET/12 noon PT.

Real Madrid

Real Madrid confirm Marc Cucurella signing: One detail stands out

For more on Cucurella's move to Real Madrid, check out our full report on the deal.

Cucurella in at full-back after Real deal

Meanwhile, Marc Cucurella starts at left-back following today's news that he is to join the Mourinho 2.0 era at Real Madrid.

Madrid today confirmed the signing of Cucurella from Chelsea on a six-year contract, with Los Blancos paying a reported €55 million ($63 million) transfer fee.

World Cup 2026

Why is Lamine Yamal not playing in Spain’s World Cup opener vs. Cape Verde?

My AS colleague Roddy Cons has more on Lamine Yamal's absence from the Spain lineup.

Gavi in for Spain

Luis de la Fuente makes one change to the Spain team that started last week's final World Cup warm-up against Peru.

Barcelona's Gavi comes into the team, with Atlético Madrid's Álex Baena making way.

Star man Lamine Yamal is not yet ready to start, as he completes his recovery from a hamstring injury suffered in April. De la Fuente said yesterday that Yamal is back in “perfect” nick, but cannot yet play 90 minutes. 

Lamine's fellow stand-out winger, Nico Williams, is also not fit enough to start. He, too, has been busy shaking off a hamstring twang.

Spain lineup confirmed

We already have confirmation of the Spain XI at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Luis de la Fuente has gone with: Unai Simón, Llorente, Cubarsí, Laporte, Cucurella, Rodri, Pedri, Fabián, Gavi, Ferran, Oyarzabal.

What time is kickoff in Atlanta?

The 75,000-capacity Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home to MLS team Atlanta United and NFL team the Atlanta Falcons, is the venue for today's Group H opener.

Kickoff in Atlanta is at 12:00 noon ET/9:00 a.m. PT.

Spain vs Cape Verde: welcome!

Hello! This is, on paper at least, something of a World Cup mismatch. A clash between a tournament favorite appearing at its 17th finals, and a tournament debutant ranked 65 places below its opponent.

In Atlanta this afternoon, European champions Spain open up their 2026 World Cup campaign against Cape Verde, one of the smallest nations ever to qualify for the finals.