Today at the 2026 FIFA World Cup: June 15

By Deniss Novickis | Published: June 15, 2026, 07:45

Spain, the team to beat according to the bookmakers, will begin the tournament against Cape Verde, while other notable teams to start include Belgium and Uruguay. MightyTips presents a World Cup value bet of the day and a risky parlay of the day, makes a prediction on all games of Matchday 5, and has some interesting facts about the tournament.

Match 14: Spain - Cape Verde, 18:00 CET, June 15
Match 16: Belgium - Egypt, 21:00 CET, June 15
Match 13: Saudi Arabia - Uruguay, 00:00 CET, June 16
Match 15: Iran - New Zealand, 03:00 CET, June 16

New Zealand won just one of their last 11 matches, and the All Whites are having a hard time finding the net. They scored just eight goals during this streak, four of them against Chile, whom they have defeated 4-1. New Zealand will defend in numbers and try to hit back on the counter, but Iran’s class should be the key here. On a 3-match winning streak, they should earn all three points comfortably, and the political situation will only help the matter. Iran to win at 1.83 looks just fine to me.

Spain will surely dominate possession, trying to break down a compact Cape Verde defence. The midfield battle should be particularly interesting, as Spain will be looking to control the tempo through quick passing combinations and positional rotations. Cape Verde will rely on organization, physicality and swift transitions when opportunities arise. Squad-wise, Spain have several attacking options available, while their biggest star, Lamine Yamal, is questionable. The Barcelona player has just recovered from a hamstring injury, yet Luis de la Fuente might not risk him in Atlanta. How effectively Cape Verde can stay disciplined without the ball may go a long way toward shaping the contest.

This Group G opener features plenty of attacking quality, with Belgium’s experienced core led by Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku facing an Egypt side built around Mohamed Salah’s creativity and finishing. Belgium will likely look to control possession and progress through midfield, while Egypt may focus on defensive compactness before breaking quickly into space. The individual battle between Belgium’s back line and Salah will be one of the match’s key storylines. Belgium arrive with a squad packed with tournament experience. Egypt hope their organization and counter-attacking threat can disrupt the Red Devils’ rhythm.

Saudi Arabia and Uruguay bring contrasting styles into this Group H clash. Saudi Arabia are expected to rely on their disciplined defensive structure, work rate and quick transitions, with captain Salem Al Dawsari remaining the team's main creative spark. Uruguay, meanwhile, possess greater experience at the highest level and will look to dictate play through midfield while using their technical quality in advanced areas. The battle for control in central areas could prove decisive, especially if Saudi Arabia succeed in limiting space between the lines. Uruguay can’t count on injured defender Ronald Araujo and midfielder Giorgian de Arrascaeta, but coach Marcelo Bielsa has enough talent to replace them.

Iran enter the tournament hoping to finally progress beyond the group stage, and much of their attacking responsibility will fall on veteran striker Mehdi Taremi. New Zealand return to the World Cup after a lengthy absence and will aim to frustrate their opponents with defensive discipline and direct attacking play. Iran are expected to enjoy more possession, making their ability to break down a compact shape a key tactical question. Fitness concerns surrounding several Iranian players could also be worth monitoring before kick-off. The atmosphere in Los Angeles is expected to be intense, adding another layer to an intriguing Group G encounter.

Mohamed Salah remains the face of Egyptian football and one of the country's greatest-ever players. The forward became Egypt’s all-time leading scorer in World Cup qualification, playing a crucial role in multiple campaigns. Although Egypt’s World Cup history has been limited, Salah’s presence has consistently raised expectations and provided a genuine attacking threat against the world’s best teams. In May 2026, he brought an extraordinary chapter to a close by leaving Liverpool after eight highly successful seasons. His leadership, experience and goal-scoring ability remain central to Egypt’s ambitions.

First 𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙧 World Cup Match. First 𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙧 Goal at a World Cup

Thank you for all the support and great atmosphere fans!#TheBlueWave #Curaçao pic.twitter.com/oziXtY1MNr

— Curaçao National Football Team (@TheBlueWaveFFK) June 14, 2026

On June 15, 1982, Hungary defeated El Salvador 10-1 in Spain, setting a World Cup record that still stands today. It remains the only match in tournament history in which a team has scored 10 goals in a single game.