Spain have left star forward Lamine Yamal on the bench as they open their World Cup campaign against tournament debutants Cape Verde. Barcelona’s Yamal, who so enlivened Euro 2024, entered the tournament under an injury cloud, although manager Luis de la Fuente revealed on match eve that he should be fit to play some part in Atlanta.
One would expect Spain to have few issues in this opening fixture, but Cape Verde have plenty of high-level European experience within the ranks and the capacity to cause problems for their more vaunted opponents.
So much so that despite a dominant half of possession from the Spanish in the opening 45 minutes, Cape Verde held them at bay and took to the half-time break witht score level at 0-0.
Follow all of the latest from the Group H clash with our live blog below:
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Spain vs Cape Verde LIVE
- Spain begin World Cup campaign against Cape Verde in Atlanta | Live on ITV
- 70' SUB! Spain bring on Yamal needing to break deadlock [ESP 0-0 CPV]
- 45' SAVE! Torres blasts straight at Vozinha [ESP 0-0 CPV]
- 40' OFF THE BAR! Torres misses sitter after slick Spain move [ESP 0-0 CPV]
- Cape Verde are making their tournament debut
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
18:49 , Chris Wilson87 mins
Great work from Semedo as he wins the ball midway into his half and does enough to take his side into Spain territory before winning a throw. That will give Cape Verde breathing space.
Nico Williams is now on for Rodri.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
18:47 , Chris Wilson85 mins
Spain’s 23rd shot of the game sees Rodri drag an effort wide from just outside the box. He’s visibly frustrated after that!
It just isn’t happening for Spain so far this evening.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
18:44 , Chris Wilson83 mins
CLOSE! Yamal is at the centre of things again as he has the defenders scrambling in their box before a cross falls to Cucurella at the back post.
He’s unmarked as he heads at Vozinha from a few yards out but the pace had been taken off it and he can’t generate enough power.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
18:42 , Chris Wilson81 mins
Subs for both sides as Torres comes off for Dani Olmo for Spain and Telmo Arcanjo is on for Monteiro for Cape Verde.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
18:41 , Chris Wilson78 mins
Some great last-ditch defending from Cape Verde as two sliding blocks go in to prevent efforts from Pedri and Merino.
Spain come again and there’s some pinball in the area on two separate occasions but Cape Verde manage to hack it clear on both!
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
18:38 , Chris Wilson75 mins
Spain are still dominating possession but Cape Verde are standing strong for now.
The minnows are losing the ball qite quickly whenever they win it back though!
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
18:35 , Chris Wilson72 mins
CLOSE!
Yamal has found himself under the watchful eye of two markers already and he almost creates the first goal!
He skips past a challenge and finds Llorente in space, with the defender squaring a pass that ends with a tame shot straight at Vozinha.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
18:32 , Chris Wilson70 mins
Subs for Spain then as Yamal and Mikel Merino come on for Gavi and Ruiz.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
18:30 , Chris Wilson67 mins
Spain have their seventh corner of the game but Vozinha collects once more.
Into the second hydration break and Lamine Yamal is preparing to come on!
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
18:26 , Chris Wilson64 mins
Luis de la Fuente looks fairly frustrated on the sideline, with his side toiling a little at the moment. A through ball has just gone out for a goal kick, with Laporte guilty this time.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
18:22 , Chris Wilson61 mins
The first subs for Cape Verde, with Da Costa, Duarte and Semedo come on for Cabral, Duarte and Livramento.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
18:21 , Chris Wilson58 mins
Plenty more possession from Spain but they’re not doing too much with it right now. Perhaps Cape Verde have weathered the early storm.
Ruiz clips a ball into the box but Vozinha is off his line well to claim it.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
18:18 , Chris Wilson55 mins
Cape Verde look to find Livramento in behind the Spain defence but Simon is off his line well.
At the other end, Pedri clips the ball in and Torres tries to flick it in, but he had his back to goal and couldn’t get enough power on it.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
18:16 , Chris Wilson53 mins
Another inventive bit of play or a total accident?
Gavi wins the ball high and it breaks kindly for Oyarzabal, who seemingly tries to catch out Vozinha, who had moved up towards his penalty spot anticipating a cross.
The effort flies wide of the post anyway but the replay suggest he might have been trying to find Torres in the middle and just messed up the pass!
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
18:12 , Chris Wilson50 mins
Spain are beginning to turn the screw in Atlanta.
Another good cross is glanced towards goal but the header is all wrong and Llorente collects before Ruiz curls an effort over.
Moments later, a ball in towards Oyarzabal is taken down well but he’s shepherded away from goal.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
18:08 , Chris Wilson47 mins
It doesn’t take long before Spain’s first foray into the Cape Verde box, but the ball in runs straight to Vozinha.
KICK-OFF! Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
18:06 , Chris WilsonBack underway in Atlanta!
HALF-TIME! Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
18:03 , Chris WilsonIt’s been a great first half from a Cape Verde point of view, with the minnows marking their World Cup debut with a promising performance that’s shown plenty of discipline. They’ll feel they can give anyone a game at the moment!
Spain have not played badly at all either, and while Cape Verde are lucky to not be behind after that miss from Torres, it’s been a display they can be proud of so far.
As for La Roja, they’ve put together some slick moves but just haven’t found the final touch so far.
Let’s hope for more of the same in the second half!
HALF-TIME! Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:58 , Chris Wilson
HALF-TIME! Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:53 , Chris WilsonThe referee brings the first half to an end and it’s a great start for Cape Verde in Atlanta!
The minnows have held the European champions to a draw so far, and they’ll want more of the same as they look for a historic result this evening!
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:49 , Chris Wilson45 +2 mins
SAVE! Another good stop from Vozinha! Laporte rises highest from the corner and his header looks bound for the far corner, but the ‘keeper gets across to tip it wide!
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:48 , Chris Wilson45 +1 mins
Into the first of four minutes of added time as Cape Verde look to close out a half they’d be immensely happy with.
Spain have a corner.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:48 , Chris Wilson45 mins
CLOSE! Another good chance for Spain as they work it around the Cape Verde box before it’s cut back to Ferran Torres.
The winger looks to wrap his foot around it to find the far corner but he doesn’t get the right connection and it’s too close to Vozinha.
OFF THE BAR! Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:42 , Chris Wilson40 mins
OFF THE BAR! Brilliant stuff from Spain and they should be ahead.
La Roja tear open their opponents courtesy of a lovely clipped diagonal pass from Rodri across to Cucurella.
The left-back is in behind the defence and lays it back off to Torres, who has plenty of goa to aim for but blasts against the bar from five yards out!
From the rebound, Oyarzabal looks to loop in a header but Vozinha gets back up in time to tip it over the bar!
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:39 , Chris Wilson38 mins
A great save from Vozinha to tip over the effort from distance but the flag had gone up anyway.
At the other end, Lopes Cabral sees an opening but he blasts well wide.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:38 , Chris Wilson35 mins
What a moment that would have been! Rodri doesn’t see Livramento behind him and the striker dispossesses him in the centre circle before trying to lob Unai Simon in goal!
A clever thought but it was nowhere near in truth.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:36 , Chris Wilson32 mins
Just a timely reminder for Spain there as Duarte clips a great long ball to Mendes, who had got in behind Cucurella.
However, the flag goes up as the Cape Verde captain had strayed offside.
Moments later, Lopes Cabral is scythed down by Torres to give Cape Verde some breathing space. The Benfica man has been impressive so far.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:33 , Chris Wilson30 mins
Almost a real opening for Spain as they win it back in the Cape Verde half and suddenly have a three-v-three.
Torres looks to slide it in to Oyarzabal but the striker’s touch is a poor one and the chance goes begging.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:30 , Chris Wilson28 mins
Cape Verde are getting some joy after the hydration break, with a lovely switch of play giving Mendes some space before the attack breaks down.
Spain are getting back into the rhythm of things though, with Lopes blocking an effort from Gavi on the edge of the area.
Moments later, the ball pops up kindly for Cucrella but he blasts over from distance.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:27 , Chris Wilson25 mins
Back underway after a water (advert) break!
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:24 , Chris Wilson22 mins
Cape Verde’s first real venture forward ends with an offside flag going up, but they’ll take some encouragement after working a nice move up the pitch.
Drinks break incoming now!
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:22 , Chris Wilson19 mins
Cape Verde have been solid at the back so far, with a few Spain moves breaking down due to a poor final ball.
La Roja have started to dominate possession though, with Cape Verde limited to speculative long balls forward when they do try to attack.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:18 , Chris Wilson16 mins
And now we have the first yellow of the day as Lopes Cabral drags Llorente back. That’s a long time to be on a yellow for!
The Benfica man does brilliantly moments later though, sliding in to prevent Llorente’s cutback in the area.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:17 , Chris Wilson15 mins
There’s a brief opening for Pedri and he opts to take a shot from distance, but it’s a tame effort straight at Vozinha.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:13 , Chris Wilson12 mins
The first opening of the game falls to Spain as Pedri makes a run from deep before clipping a cross towards the back post.
Oyarzabal is lurking but Lopes makes a brilliant defensive header to prevent the Spaniard heading in.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:12 , Chris Wilson9 mins
An interesting shirt number here as it appears Gavi has been given the number nine for this tournament! A new meaning for ‘false nine’.
There’s some brilliant play from Sidny Cabral to win possession before skipping past Llorente – he’s brought down in cynical fashion but Llorente somehow escapes a booking.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:09 , Chris Wilson7 mins
There have been a couple of loose passes in the final third from Spain, with Fabian Ruiz the latest guilty party.
Cape Verde look tidy with the ball at their feet, though there isn’t a lot of attacking threat at the moment. Spain seem happ y to sit off when their opponents have the ball.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:05 , Chris Wilson4 mins
It will be interesting to see who is used as a striker for La Roja during this tournament now that Alvaro Morata is not in the squad. Mikel Oyarzabal has started there this evening, though might that change in other games?
Ferran Torres and Gavi are on the wings to begin with.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:03 , Chris Wilson2 mins
It hasn’t taken long for Spain to settle into possession! They’re lurking menacingly around the Cape Verde box already, though Cucurella has given away a free-kick to end the attack.
KICK-OFF! Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:01 , Chris WilsonWe’re underway in Atlanta! On paper it should be a simple game for Spain, but will they lay down a real marker this evening? We’re about to find out.
Spain vs Cape Verde LIVE
16:57 , Chris Wilson“I think this could be a five, maybe six-goal game,” says Carli Lloyd on Fox.
Thiago dismisses any suggestion that Spain need to lay down a marker this evening after Germany’s 7-1 win yesterday.
We’ll be underway in a few minutes in Atlanta.
Spain vs Cape Verde LIVE
16:54 , Chris WilsonBoth sets of players have emerged from the tunnel at the Atlanta Stadium, so we’ll be underway soon after the anthems!
Pundits on Spain & Cape Verde
16:51 , Chris Wilson“They’re playing against the favourites but they have nothing to lose and everything to gain,” says Javier Hernandez on Fox. The debutants have not lost a competitive game since late in 2024!
On Spain, the former Mexico striker says that “they have big chances to win this World Cup”.
“It’s sometimes a blessing and a curse, but there are soccer gods and things sometimes work in your favour!” says Women’s World Cup winner Carli Lloyd on Spain’s tag as favourites.
Spain's World Cup chances
16:46 , Chris WilsonLuis de la Fuente’s side begin the tournament as favourites after a hugely successful last few years that started with a victorious Euro 2024 campaign two summers ago. La Roja have been in fine form since beating England in Berlin, losing just once – in the 2025 Nations League final, on penalties to Portugal.
Spain have not come close to winning football’s biggest prize since their famed campaign of 2010, but there is a feeling at home that this squad is the best equipped to do so since the days of Iniesta, Xavi and co. After exiting the tournament at the round of 16 stage to Morocco in Qatar, a semi-final berth would be the minimum expectation this time round, but in private there might be questions asked if this side doesn’t go all the way.
Many of the same names from the 2024 squad will be present in North America this summer. De la Fuente has already made a bold move in selecting a squad devoid of any Real Madrid players, with both Dani Carvajal and Dean Huijsen left at home as La Roja go for a blend of experience and youthful verve. Lamine Yamal will once again be the focal point of the squad, supported by the likes of Rodri, Pedri and Mikel Oyarzabal, who scored the winner in Berlin two years ago.
There are some questions over defensive options and the fit of some of the attackers in the squad, but if de la Fuente can successfully adapt the game plan used in 2024, Spain may well end this summer with another star over the famous crest.
Spain v Cape Verde live
16:42 , Chris Wilson
Spain's World Cup fixtures
16:37 , Chris WilsonHere’s a brief look at the group stage fixtures for the favourites then:
15 June, 5pm: Spain v Cape Verde – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
21 June, 5pm: Spain v Saudi Arabia – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
27 June, 1am: Uruguay v Spain – Estadio Akron, Zapopan (Mexico)
Thiago: 'They'll have an amazing World Cup'
16:32 , Chris Wilson“I’ll say that they’ll have an amazing World Cup” says former Spain midfielder Thiago Alcantara on his nation’s chances.
“There’s a hunger that we have, a belief in the way we play football. We have the ball to hurt the other team,” he cays as he explains how Spain will look to start this evening.
Yama & Williams on bench for Spain
16:27 , Chris WilsonPerhaps unsurprisingly – given their respective injury issues – both Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams are on the bench this afternoon.
The wing duo may have sat part of this one out anyway given that there are more difficult games to come soon, though Luis de la Fuente has gone with a strong line-up nonetheless.
Most eyes will probably be on how Ferran Torres and Mikel Oyarzabal perform in their respective attacking roles.
Mikel Merino wary not to overlook opponents
16:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle“I think people now see us as real trophy contenders,” Arsenal midfielder Merino said on match eve. “We should draw confidence and energy from it, and make sure we don’t get complacent. If that’s how everyone sees us, then it’s because we’ve earned it and we should believe in ourselves. We shouldn’t be overconfident, though, or feel that we’re automatically better than anyone else. Any side can beat you on their day, but it should fuel our self-belief. If we play our best football, we can beat anyone.”
Hope for Cape Verde?
16:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleSpain corrected a concerning trend at the last World Cup of being slow starters at the tournament. A 7-0 win over Costa Rica was their first opening-round success since 2002, with a draw with 3-3 Portugal (2018) following defeats to the Netherlands (2014) and Switzerland (2010). Not that it mattered in the end in South Africa, of course.
Cape Verde look to rise to the challenge
16:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleCape Verde manager Bubista is hopeful his side can rise to the challenge as they make their World Cup bow in Atlanta.
"We want to show what we did during qualifier,” he said. “We want to compete with our identify and to play all of our matches with courage and organisation to show the world what we are as a team and as a country. We know how difficult it will be and we are aware of Spain's value, but the game is still played on the pitch."
Team news - Cape Verde
15:52 , Harry Latham-CoyleCape Verde XI: Vozinha; Lopes Cabral, Diney, Moreira, Lopes; Pina, Cabral, Monteiro, Duarte; Livramento, Mendes.
Team news - Spain
15:48 , Harry Latham-CoyleLamine Yamal is only on the bench for Spain as Marcos Llorente gets the nod over Pedro Porro at right back.
Spain XI: Simon; Llorente, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Ruiz, Gavi, Rodri, Pedri; Torres, Oyarzabal.
Team news on the way...
15:42 , Harry Latham-CoyleRight, a major dollop of team news is on the way from Atlanta. Will it be a bench role for Lamine Yamal as anticipated? Or does Luis de la Fuente have a surprise up his (red and yellow striped) sleeve?
Clash of contrasts
15:35 , Harry Latham-CoyleThis, incidentally, is only the fifth biggest rankings mismatch at this World Cup – on paper, that is. There are 65 places between Spain in second and Cape Verde in 67th on the official Fifa table, and the archipelagic nation feel upwardly mobile. They were Afcon quarter-finalists in 2023, of course, and will hope to push Spain hard in their first meeting.
Spain embracing expectations ahead of World Cup opener
15:25 , Harry Latham-CoyleSpain boss Luis de la Fuente believes his side are ready to handle the expectation that comes with entering the World Cup as European champions.
"There is excitement, hunger… They’re very competitive players, determined to always do things right," De la Fuente said. "They're aware how important this moment is for them at the World Cup. Several are making their debut.
“Nothing in life can compare to the feeling of taking on a challenge head-on with excitement, purpose and determination. That's something I think really stands out about this squad and these players. If they’re feeling like that, you can imagine how I feel."
Water-gate: Fifa’s lucrative World Cup breaks are ruining the spectacle
15:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe stadium in Atlanta comes complete with what I’ve heard is outstanding air conditioning – making the mid-half water break even more of an annoyance. Lawrence Ostlere wants rid of them.
Water-gate: Fifa’s lucrative World Cup breaks are ruining the spectacle
Today's venue
15:05 , Harry Latham-CoyleNormally known as the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, today’s venue really is a sparkling facility – as you might expect for a building that cost the best part of £1.5bn to build. With a capacity of 75,000, the Atlanta arena is due to host one of the semi-finals, as well as a tie in each of the round of 32 and round of 16.
Marc Cucurella completes move from Chelsea to Real Madrid in £52m deal
14:55 , Harry Latham-CoyleOne would imagine that Marc Cucurella will start for Spain today, but it has been a busy couple of days for the full-back – he has now completed a move from Chelsea to Real Madrid:
Marc Cucurella completes move from Chelsea to Real Madrid in £52m deal
What to know about the Cape Verde squad?
14:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleDublin-born Shamrock Rovers centre-back Roberto Lopes, who first received an international call-up when the manager contacted him via LinkedIn, is part of Cape Verde’s squad for their first-ever World Cup. Coach Bubista has also taken a gamble on the fitness of centre-back Logan Costa, who played limited minutes for Villarreal at the end of the season in his first action since rupturing his ACL last July, while San Diego goalkeeper CJ dos Santos is the only uncapped player in the squad after having a switch of allegiance from the US approved by Fifa recently.
Coach: Bubista
Goalkeepers: Vozinha (Chaves), Marcio Rosa (Montana), CJ dos Santos (San Diego)
Defenders: Stopira (Torreense), Roberto Lopes (Shamrock Rovers), Joao Paulo (FCSB), Diney (Al Bataeh), Logan Costa (Villarreal), Steven Moreira (Columbus Crew), Wagner Pina (Trabzonspor), Sidny Lopes Cabral (Benfica), Kelvin Pires (SJK)
Midfielders: Jamiro Monteiro (PEC Zwolle), Kevin Pina (Krasnodar), Deroy Duarte (Ludogorets), Telmo Arcanjo (Vitoria Guimaraes), Laros Duarte (Puskas Akademia), Yannick Semedo (Farense)
Forwards: Ryan Mendes (Igdir), Garry Rodrigues (Apollon Limassol), Willy Semedo (Omonia), Jovane Cabral (Estrela Amadora), Gilson Tavares (Akron Tolyatti), Dailon Livramento (Casa Pia), Helio Varela (Maccabi Tel Aviv), Nuno da Costa (Istanbul Basaksehir)
Group H fixtures
14:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle(all times BST)
15 June, 5pm: Spain v Cape Verde – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
15 June, 11pm: Saudi Arabia v Uruguay – Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
21 June, 5pm: Spain v Saudi Arabia – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
21 June, 11pm: Uruguay v Cape Verde – Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
27 June, 1am: Uruguay v Spain – Estadio Akron, Zapopan (Mexico)
27 June, 1am: Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia - NRG Stadium, Houston
World Cup 2026 – Group H guide
14:25 , Harry Latham-CoyleUruguay and Saudi Arabia are the other sides in Group H, an intriguing little collection of sides. Here’s Chris Wilson‘s comprehensive guide:
World Cup 2026 – Group H guide: Spain take on Uruguay as Cape Verde fairytale begins
How Spain have developed ‘tiki-taka 2.0’ in pursuit of World Cup glory
14:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleSpain arrive at this World Cup as the reigning European champions, and strong contenders to go deep over the next six weeks. Chris Wilson explores how they have developed a new kind of tiki-taka after a few lean years.
How Spain have developed ‘tiki-taka 2.0’ in pursuit of World Cup glory
Spain boss provides Lamine Yamal update ahead of Cape Verde clash
14:05 , Harry Latham-CoyleSpain boss Luis De La Fuente has revealed Lamine Yamal is in “perfect condition” following injury concerns.
The teenager has been sidelined since April with a hamstring problem and subsequently missed the final stages of Barcelona’s La Liga-winning season.
Spain kick off their Group H campaign against Cape Verde in Atlanta and De la Fuente provided an update on Yamal along with the rest of the squad ahead of their opening game.
“The best news is that he’s in perfect condition,” De La Fuente said. “The process we had planned has gone as expected and he’s arrived at the scheduled time.
“I can tell you that everyone will be available. That doesn’t mean they’ll be ready for the whole match, but the best news is that they’re in good form.”
Spain vs Cape Verde LIVE
11:36 , Harry Latham-CoyleA very good afternoon. Another World Cup contender is just about ready to get underway in Atlanta, Spain looking to back up their European triumph with success on the global stage. They begin their tournament against debutants Cape Verde, with the archipelagic state raring to go for their first fixture on this stage.
Kick off is at 5pm BST.
