The 2026 FIFA World Cup continues Monday with a full card of Group G and H fixtures as Spain, Belgium and Saudi Arabia open their campaigns. The day’s matches run across venues in the United States, with the final kickoff not until late evening local time. Monday also features Group F action as Iran faces New Zealand in what should be a straightforward exercise for the Asian side.

Spain against Cape Verde is the day’s most anticipated fixture, scheduled at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Spain, one of the tournament’s pre-competition favourites, carry the weight of recent tournament form that has made them difficult to beat at major international events. Cape Verde, making only their second World Cup appearance, are expected to defend deep and look for counterattack opportunities against a Spanish side built around controlled possession and high pressing.

Belgium against Egypt kicks off in Seattle. Belgium’s so-called golden generation has given way to a transitional squad that still contains quality but no longer carries the pre-tournament expectations it did in 2018 and 2022. Egypt, led by Mohamed Salah in what is widely expected to be his final World Cup, bring a significant individual quality differential that gives them a genuine chance against a Belgian side whose performances have been inconsistent in the run-up to the tournament.

Saudi Arabia against Uruguay closes the day’s Group H fixtures. Uruguay, with their two-striker system built around Darwin Nunez and the veteran Luis Suarez, should present a stern physical test for a Saudi Arabia team that surprised the world with their win over Argentina in 2022 but has since undergone significant coaching and squad changes. Saudi Arabia made the tournament as hosts of one of the three co-hosting nations alongside Mexico and Canada.

The Group F match between Iran and New Zealand offers context after the tumultuous weeks since February. Iran’s football federation confirmed the national team is participating in the tournament as planned, despite the political upheaval that followed the death of Supreme Leader Khamenei and the subsequent peace negotiations with the United States. Players have publicly separated their performance from the political situation.

After four days of group stage action, the picture in several groups is already taking shape. Germany and Ivory Coast lead Group E. Sweden lead Group F after their 5-1 win over Tunisia on Sunday, with Japan and the Netherlands level on one point each after their 2-2 draw. The top two teams from each group advance to the round of 32.

CBS Sports noted that Monday’s schedule represents some of the highest-profile matchups of the tournament’s first week, with the Spain and Belgium games both carrying the kind of global audience numbers that advertisers and broadcasters target for peak engagement. The full results from today’s fixtures will sharpen the standings picture significantly before Tuesday’s second wave of group games begins.