Belgium lock horns with Egypt in Group G
In what could be the defining match of Group G, Belgium will lock horns with Egypt in their opening World Cup 2026 clash at Seattle Stadium on Monday.
Belgium might have ambitions of winning the competition given they are ranked ninth by FIFA, whereas opponents Egypt are ranked 29th and will be competing in just their fourth ever World Cup finals.
Having suffered an embarrassing exit in the group stages of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, Rudi Garcia‘s Belgium will be looking to finally deliver on the promises of the country’s declining golden generation.
Their exit four years ago was particularly painful given Croatia were an ageing side, while Morocco were a team that had not won a game in the competition since 1998.
Egypt are embarking on their second World Cup in three attempts, and that is a significant achievement considering they had only twice previously qualified for the tournament.
Ahead of their clash with Belgium, it would be understandable if Egypt were carrying some of the scars of their AFCON 2025 exit at the hands of Senegal in the semi-finals, a tournament that they last won in 2010.
Egypt’s clash with Belgium on Monday will be their fifth meeting, and they boast a record of three wins and just one defeat against the Red Devils, with their most recent contest a 2-1 victory for the Pharaohs in November 2022.
There is no doubt that Belgium possess a more talented roster than their opponents, though it is impossible to ignore their history of underperformance at major tournaments.
Perhaps the difference between one point and zero for Egypt will be the fitness of Salah, but the fact that the Pharaohs cannot be ruled out makes this game a fascinating fixture for those seeking the best World Cup betting sites.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Spain to make the perfect start as they take on debutants Cape Verde
Spain will be bidding to make the perfect start to their 2026 World Cup campaign when they take on tournament debutants Cape Verde in Atlanta on Monday.
La Roja will also take on Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in Group H this summer, and Luis de la Fuente‘s team are one of the favourites to triumph at the competition.
Alongside France, Spain are considered to be the favourites for the 2026 World Cup, with head coach De la Fuente boasting a spectacular squad, and La Roja are the reigning European champions, beating England in the final of Euro 2024.
Spain won the World Cup in 2010 but have disappointed in their last three tournaments, being knocked out in the group stage in 2014 and then only making the round of 16 in 2018 and 2022, so there is room for serious improvement this summer.
Spain will enter this match off the back of a 3-1 win over Peru in their final friendly ahead of the World Cup, and they are unbeaten in their last 10 matches, recording seven wins in the process.
It would be one of the biggest shocks in the history of football if they were unable to overcome Cape Verde on Monday, and they are the heavy favourites to finish at the top of a group which also includes Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.
This fixture will represent the first-ever meeting between Spain and Cape Verde, and on paper at least, it is one of the biggest mismatches at this summer’s tournament.
Cape Verde finished ahead of Cameroon in their qualification group for the 2026 World Cup, and history will be made on Monday when they take to the field against Spain – a match that represents their first-ever contest at the finals of a World Cup.
Bubista’s side have actually been victorious in each of their last three matches, including their two pre-World Cup friendlies against Serbia and Bermuda.
Cape Verde will know that they are up against it this summer, and Spain represent their toughest opponents in Group H. Cape Verde deserve so much respect for qualifying for the competition, but we are struggling to back them to cause Spain problems on Monday; La Roja should be able to secure all three points in routine fashion to take charge of Group H.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Saudi Arabia, Uruguay get their Group H campaigns underway
Hard Rock Stadium will host Saudi Arabia against Uruguay on Monday evening, as both countries get their respective 2026 World Cup campaigns underway.
The two teams are competing in Group H this summer alongside Spain and Cape Verde, and it is shaping up to be a fascinating battle to reach the knockout round.
Saudi Arabia have been regulars in World Cups since 1994, featuring in every tournament to this point apart from 2010 and 2014, when they failed to qualify for the finals.
The national team’s last two World Cups have ended in group-stage exits, and they have only actually reached the round of 16 on one occasion, which came back in 1994.
Saudi Arabia have tackled Uruguay on three previous occasions, and both teams have posted one win, including a 1-0 success for the latter at the 2018 World Cup. Saudi Arabia will be without the services of Nawaf Al Aqidi (muscle) for their opening match of the 2026 World Cup, but the Green One are otherwise in strong shape.
Spain are the overwhelming favourites to finish top of Group H, but second in the section is very open, while third could also be enough to reach the knockout round.
Uruguay can no longer call upon the likes of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, but the South Americans still have a lot of talent, and a win over Saudi Arabia on Monday would put them in an excellent spot to reach the knockout round of the competition.
Marcelo Bielsa‘s side have not actually played since their March friendlies, with a 1-1 draw against England at Wembley followed by a goalless draw with Algeria.
La Celeste have a rich history in the World Cup, winning the tournament in 1930 and 1950, while they actually made the semi-finals as recently as 2010.
This is a tough match to call, as cases can be made for either to win it – we came close to backing a draw but have just settled on Uruguay, who have a lot of talent in midfield and attack.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Monday 15th June
Group G
Belgium 19:00 Egypt
Group H
Spain 16:00 Cape Verde
Saudi Arabia 22:00 Uruguay
