We've got another jam-packed day of action at the FIFA World Cup, with European champions Spain among the teams taking to the field for the first time. Follow every moment of today's four matches with our live tracker!
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde (FT)
Belgium 1-1 Egypt (FT)
Saudi Arabia 1-1 Uruguay (FT)
Iran 2-2 New Zealand (FT)
05:22 CET: Another day brings another feast of four World Cup matches, so we're already looking forward to tomorrow when France and Argentina (among others) make their entries into the tournament. You can read our Iran v New Zealand match report here, whilst our daily World Cup highlights package will be with you in the morning (European time). Plenty to keep you busy through to 8pm CET when Senegal meets France. Catch you then!
05:17 CET: New Kiwi hero Elijah Just said his two goals "was not something I could have dreamt of".
"It was really, really special," he added. "One was nice and two was just amazing, so I'm really pleased."
"We have a lot of goals coming into this tournament and the first was to get on the board, so one point is okay. There are a lot of positives that we can keep building on.
"We know that we have tough opponents – we watched the Belgium-Egypt game – and we know how much work that we have to do.
"To start with a point, I think everybody is happy even though it could have been better."
05:14 CET: They'll be scouring the record books to find the last time (if ever) that there were four draws in a single day at a World Cup. There were three on June 11 in 1958, but from seven games in total. We're relieved we don't have to cover seven matches in one day, just quietly…
05:10 CET: The All Whites well and truly earned their point, but there will be bitter disappointment that they could not secure their maiden World Cup victory, especially after taking the lead twice. Motherwell's Scottish Premiership player of the season, Elijah Just, put them in front during each half and was assisted by Chris Wood on each occasion. Iran refused to lay down, and as you can see from the momentum graph further below, they controlled the second half.
05:03 CET: New Zealand scramble away a 94th minute corner before the referee blows full-time to end a very captivating Group G game in Inglewood. Neither team deserved to lose.
04:53 CET: Both teams would likely have identified this as a game they need to win to advance to the Round of 32 and they're leaving nothing out on the pitch in pursuit of a win. Their fast transition styles of play is making for an entertaining back and forth football.
04:46 CET: Tim Payne leaves the pitch to check his Instagram DMs, whilst Iran have withdrawn captain Mehdi Taremi for Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh. Taremi looked like he was cramping.
It's still 2-2 after 80 minutes in what has been the most entertaining match of the day. A draw would be a fair result for both sides but anything else would not surprise at all.
04:38 CET: We've had a scoreless draw and two 1-1s on day five of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, so it seems only fitting to cap it off with a 'Desmond' (2-2). Iran and New Zealand have 25 minutes plus stoppage time to ensure that does not happen.
04:31 CET: Iran equalise AGAIN! Ghoddos' last play of this match is to whip a long pass from the left flank near the halfway line to the opposite touchline where Ramin Rezaeian had acreage all to himself. Rezaeian used the time and space to aim a cross into the centre of the box. Mohammad Mohebi leaps off the penalty spot and guides a header into the inside of the far post. Max Crocombe can do nothing about it whatsoever.
04:22 CET: 2-1 New Zealand! JUST scintillating from (Elijah) JUST, who links up with Chris Wood again to put the All Whites back in front after 54 minutes! The one-two with Wood was the end of a delightful chain of passes that writes the 26-year-old into New Zealand football folklore forever.
04:17 CET: Let's quickly check in on New Zealand's newly minted king of social media, Tim Payne, who has barely left the touchline during his 50-minute shift. He has a live player rating of just 6.2 out of 10 currently.
04:12 CET: Welcome back to the action from Miami. Iran left New Zealand on the pitch for a few minutes beyond schedule but are finally back out and ready to go. Aria Yousefi comes off the pitch to be replaced by Mehdi Ghaedi at the start of the half.
03:52 CET: 1-1 at the break in Miami. Iran came close to leading on the precipice of half-time twice: first when Shahriyar Moghanlou's flick header off a long-throw went over the crossbar, and then when Ali Nemati's header from a free kick was ruled offside. He made himself unmarked in the box only because of an early run prior to the delivery.
03:46 CET: Three minutes plus stoppage time remain in the first half and the teams remain quite even on the major key stats.
03:36 CET: 1-1! Iran hit back at the top of the 33rd minute through Ramin Rezaeian, who set up his own goal with a sideways pass to Shahriyar Moghanlou, who scuffed his shot whilst losing balance. Rezaeian followed it up to finish the job and the Iranian fans are making SoFi Stadium SHAKE.
03:28 CET: The players are taking their first hydration break after Iran struck the right post through Mehdi Taremi. Iran had a 3-on-2 advantage but Taremi went for glory himself and got so close after beating All Whites keeper Crocombe.
03:17 CET: New Zealand have since made a couple more incisions into the box, including Sarpreet Singh shooting off-target from inside the box.
03:11 CET: New Zealand open the scoring on a day of World Cup shocks! Goalkeeper Max Crocombe hoofed the ball up the pitch Route One-style direct to the chest of Chris Wood, who began a cute chain of passes with Sarpreet Singh and Elijah Just. Just controlled the ball between two defenders near the penalty spot and jabbed it past Beiranvand with his right foot.
It's just the second time New Zealand have scored first at a World Cup game. They drew 1-1 with Italy in 2010 through Shane Smeltz.
03:04 CET: New Zealand get things underway at SoFi Stadium.
02:56 CET: California contains the largest Iranian diaspora in the world outside of Iran itself, with estimates ranging all the way from 500,000 to 700,000. The state has had significant Iranian influence on its culture since the 1979 revolution, which is why SoFi Stadium is packed with white, red and green.
02:50 CET: These two sides have not met since 2003 when Iran won 3-0. The two teams are making their way out to SoFi Stadium as New Zealand completes their FIFA World Cup return after a 16-year wait.
02:40 CET: Here are the starting lineups. New Zealand head coach Darren Bazeley confirmed that Matt Garbett has been ruled out of the tournament with a hamstring injury.
It's a momentous day for Bazeley who will become the first man to coach at an U-17 World Cup, U-20 World Cup, senior World Cup and an Olympics.
02:24 CET: Iran and New Zealand are alongside Belgium and Egypt in Group G, who shared the points earlier today and opened the group right up for the winner of this match to move closer to advancing to the knockouts.
02:20 CET: Iran and New Zealand are not far away from beginning their warm-ups at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Iran will be looking to continue the unbeaten run of Asian teams at this World Cup that Saudi Arabia just kept alive:
South Korea 2-1 Czech Republic
Qatar 1-1 Switzerland
Australia 2-0 Turkey
Japan 2-2 Netherlands
Saudi Arabia 1-1 Uruguay
02:09 CET: Look no further than the below to get an indication of just how much pressure Saudi Arabia withstood throughout the second half in particular, where Uruguay came so close to scoring on several occasions. In the second half alone, Uruguay had 23 shots (eight on target) and 12 corners.
02:03 CET – 1-1 DRAW. After dealing safely with corners in the 97th and 98th minutes of play, Saudi Arabia hold on with their lives and are rewarded for their determination with a point that has all four nations in Group H with one point each.
01:58 CET – Two minutes down into seven minutes of stoppage time and Uruguay continue to pile on the pressure. Saudi Arabia are making three substitutions and it's a relief that they have only ten seconds to leave the field, or these players would be walking off like octogenarians. Just seconds later, Saudi goalkeeper Al Owais makes a brilliant save to his left to deny Valverde and a header from the corner goes wide.
01:53 CET – Saudi Arabia make a rare attack that results in Saud Abdulhamid sending one over the crossbar – their first shot since scoring in the 41st minute. 87 minutes gone and it's still 1-1.
01:46 CET – Uruguay finally smash the door down! A well directed header from Federico Vinas is saved by Al Owais but the rebound is buried by the left foot of Maximiliano Araujo, who scores his first international goal in 23 months. Al Owais will be wishing he did better with that first save and perhaps he should have.
Now an energetic Uruguayan team can smell blood and are going in for the kill, with the majority of the stadium willing them on.
01:41 CET – 75 minutes played in Miami and Saudi Arabia are trying to soak up as much time as they can, but the back third is being peppered persistently. Just look at the sea of red in the latest momentum check below:
01:33 CET – Mohammed Al Owais makes his fifth save of the game to keep the Saudi clean sheet alive. Saudi Arabia have not had a shot at goal since they scored the opener, whilst Uruguay have had ten shot attempts in that period. It has been all Uruguay heading into the hydration break but Saudi Arabia still leads!
01:26 CET – Manuel Ugarte hits the left post from outside the box as the Uruguayans continue attempting to break down what is an increasingly deeper Saudi back third bedding in for the remaining half-hour. The Saudi goalkeeper Al Owais went down for medical treatment shortly after.
01:21 CET – Uruguay are putting on persistent pressure now, making regular journeys into the Saudi box without result.
01:13 CET – Just 45 seconds into the half, Federico Vinas again makes a goalbound diving header that is saved by Al Owais. Today could well be a day for the goalkeepers.
01:09 CET – Is this Saudi Arabia beating Argentina in 2022 all over again? The plucky Green Falcons are 45 minutes away from another famous World Cup boilover. The Uruguayans made a statement of intent by running out onto the pitch well before the scheduled time and their opponents. They look eager and positive, particularly the three substitutes that Bielsa is bringing into the game.
Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, had to be hurried out of their rooms by FIFA officials at the stadium.
Juan Sanabria and Agustin Canobbio replace Matias Vina and Darwin Nunez at half-time.
01:00 CET – If you're just joining us, one of the biggest stories of the day's action was Cape Verde's incredible 0-0 draw against European Champions, Spain – much in part owed to the heroics of their goalkeeper, Vozinha.
At 40 years old, he has become a sensation due to his performance, and Flashscore's Anna Carreau has charted his journey so far.
Read it now.
00:53 CET – Half-time in Miami, and do we have another shock on our hands. Saudi Arabia are ahead at the break, thanks to that late goal from Abdulelah Al Amri. His side have grown into the game, giving Marcelo Bielsa and Uruguay a problem to solve.
00:44 CET – Uruguay did not heed the warning, and now Saudi Arabia lead! Four minutes before the break, Fernando Muslera spills an effort from another set-piece and Abdulelah Al Amri is on hand to poke it home.
What is it with Saudi Arabia and upsetting South American sides?
00:42 CET – Saudi Arabia in the ascendancy as the half comes to an end, forcing a good save out of Fernando Muslera from a corner.
00:34 CET – Federico Vinas almost breaks through for Uruguay with a forward diving header near the penalty spot, but Al Owais moves his weight expertly to his right to respond and keep it out.
00:28 CET – Araujo's shot at 00:09 remains the only one on target in this game as it heads into the universally adored hydration break. To be fair, this is one city where the break is actually necessary. Uruguay (red) have had most of the attacking momentum so far.
00:22 CET – 34-year-old Salem Al-Dawsari has Saudi Arabia's first shot of the game in the 18th minute but it's off target. They're holding their own now after an anxious start.
00:15 CET – Ten minutes down and Saudi Arabia are now beginning to play with a bit of purpose after taking some time to sit back off the ball and settle the nerves.
00:09 CET – Maxi Araujo delivers Uruguay's first shot of the game in the fifth minute, forcing a nervous looking Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais to palm it away with both hands. Saudi Arabia are struggling to keep the ball for any meaningful periods with Uruguay playing a high press.
00:05 CET – Kick-off in Miami!
23:53 CET – Players are now in the tunnel, ready to head out to hear their anthems for the first time in the tournament.
23:35 CET – Bielsa will tonight manage in his third World Cup, but his first in 16 years.
The Argentine led his home nation in 2002, but they crashed out in the group stages in what was a disastrous tournament for them in South Korea and Japan.
Things went much better for the former Leeds coach in 2010, when he led an exciting Chile side to the round of 16, getting them a place in the knockout stages in what was just the third time in their history.
Getting that far again will be the goal for Bielsa this time around.
23:16 CET – Next up, we return to Group H, where Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay know that they can go top with a win against Saudi Arabia, following Spain's shock draw with Cape Verde earlier.
Bielsa has plenty of big names to call upon, with Federico Valverde, Rodrigo Bentancur, Manuel Ugarte and Darwin Nunez all starting for the South Americans.
These are the full starting XIs:
23:02 CET – Josh Donaldson in Seattle: A point gained, you feel, for both sides in the Emerald City as Belgium and Egypt share the spoils after an entertaining, back-and-forth contest.
Both sides know that they will be favourites for their games against New Zealand and Iran, meaning a draw here should not affect them too much.
On his 34th birthday, Mo Salah was unable to give himself the perfect present, but an assist will do just nicely in his newly minted number 10 role.
Concerns remain over Belgium's potency in front of goal, but the addition of Romelu Lukaku helped them create more of a threat.
22:59 CET – That's that for what was a very entertaining first match of Group G.
Belgium will be disappointed not to have found a winner, but given they were trailing for much of the match, both sides will be fairly satisfied with a point.
22:49 CET – Belgium are pushing for a winner here, but they're running out of time to get it.
Lukaku gets a big chance to do so, but heads over the bar.
22:44 CET – Josh Donaldson in Seattle: Around 10 minutes to play, and with Salah now off the pitch, Egypt are opting for two out-and-out strikers to force a winner.
It's been an intriguing encounter, and it doesn't feel like we are done with the drama just yet.
22:39 CET – Wow. The Egypt manager has made a big call. Off comes Salah, and on comes 18-year-old Hamza Abdelkarim. A big talent, the teenager joined Barcelona's academy earlier this year, and now becomes his nation's youngest World Cup player ever.
He's played just nine minutes in an Egypt shirt, but he now has the chance to launch his international career.
22:35 CET – Josh Donaldson in Seattle: As they say in the States, we have 'a new ball game' after Belgium's leveller.
The drinks break allowed time for both coaches to get across some instructions, and interestingly, Egypt's manager spent his last few seconds talking to Mohamed Salah.
It's been Belgium's half so far, but as we have seen with these breaks, momentum can shift following them. Will it be the same here?
22:28 CET – Belgium level things up and Romelu Lukaku is immediately involved!
Seconds after coming on, the striker battles to get on the end of a cross, and in his attempts to stop him, Egypt's Mohamed Hany bundles the ball into his own net.
Having a presence in the box to aim for has already paid dividends for the Red Devils. All square!
22:19 CET – Josh Donaldson in Seattle: Rudi Garcia has opted for changes to start the second half, tactical rather than personnel. Doku is the lone forward in the opening eight minutes, but he is still struggling to find room to run into.
De Bruyne has hit the post with a free-kick, but it's Egypt who are the more threatening. Salah sees a header saved, whilst goalscorer Emam Ashour fires across the goal.
Double change for the Red Devils to freshen things up, but we still wait for Romelu Lukaku…
22:13 CET – Doku has been moved up front, but it hasn't had the desired impact yet – Egypt have made the stronger start to the second half, having two efforts to their opponent's zero.
22:08 CET – The second half is underway! Both sides come out unchanged, perhaps to the frustration of those of the Belgian persuasion.
21:54 CET – Josh Donaldson in Seattle: Half-time on the West Coast, a half of frustration for the Red Devils, but one that has moved Egypt 45 minutes away from ending their 92-year wait for a win at the World Cup.
Jeremy Doku's skewed effort over the bar sums up a frustrating start for Belgium, who have yet to really get going. Since the goal, the Pharaohs have sat back, looking to spring counter-attacks.
The big factor in the second half will be when, not if, Romelu Lukaku makes his bow. Belgium are lacking that presence up front – pressure will be mounting on coach Rudi Garcia if he can't mastermind a turnaround.
21:51 CET – That's that for the first half, and it's the African nation that head into it ahead.
Belgium have dominated the ball since they went behind, but they haven't done too much with it.
21:39 CET – Josh Donaldson in Seattle: Ten minutes to go before the break, and befuddlement with Belgium's play is the overriding emotion here.
Without a recognised striker on the pitch, both De Ketelaere and De Bruyne look lost and almost confused. Both attacking playmakers, their hybrid role today as false nines/centre forwards is not working. Any crosses into the box are easily defended by Egypt, and neither have been able to run in behind.
Rudi Garcia needs to make changes at half-time.
21:22 CET – Josh Donaldson in Seattle: Pandemonium at Seattle Stadium – and inside the press box. That deeper role for Salah mentioned earlier comes up trumps for the Pharaohs, as he feeds Ashour to strike home. Could Courtois have done slightly better? Perhaps, but the goal has set this game up perfectly.
21:20 CET – Egypt take the lead with a beauty of a goal!
Salah lays the ball off to left-winger Emam Ashour, who controls it just outside the box and fires an unstoppable strike past Thibaut Courtois!
21:08 CET – Josh Donaldson in Seattle: Unlike at AFCON, where Omar Marmoush and Mohamed Salah were used in tandem earlier this year, the Pharaohs have opted to start Salah in the number 10 position, drastically unfamiliar if you've watched him at Liverpool. Early on, it's giving him more freedom to roam.
Kevin De Bruyne is occupying the same role for Belgium in a de facto 4-2-4. He shoots just wide after six minutes – this is all set up for an open, flowing game in Group G.
21:00 CET – We're underway in Seattle! Which side can take the initiative in the battle to top this group? Let's find out!
20:53 CET – The players are coming out on the pitch, greeted by a crowd containing a good number of Belgians and Egyptians alike.
20:15 CET – After that monumental result, we turn our attention to Seattle, where Belgium will take on Egypt at Lumen Field from 21:00 CET. Flashscore's Josh Donaldson is live at the ground and reports the following:
It's been a hot morning on the West Coast ahead of the city's first game of the tournament, and it's a biggie, with Group G's two big favourites, Belgium and Egypt, meeting to open their campaign.
Team news is in from Seattle Stadium, and the big surprise is that Belgium's Rudi Garcia has opted for a strikerless system, leaving Romelu Lukaku on the bench with Charles De Ketelaere set to lead the line. It was never going to be anyone else but Mohamed Salah starting on the right wing for Egypt.
The Pharaohs have never won a game at a World Cup, so it could be a historic day for Salah. It's his 34th birthday today; can he celebrate with his first finals goal since 2018, and with that elusive victory?
19:57 CET – It's all over at the Atlanta Stadium, and World Cup debutants Cape Verde have secured a remarkable point against European heavyweights Spain!
Despite 65 places separating the two sides in the FIFA rankings, Cape Verde produced an incredible display of resilience to nullify a star-studded Spanish outfit, with goalkeeper Vozinha and centre-back Roberto Lopes absolutely immense at the back.
As for Luis de la Fuente's men, they were unable to convert an xG of 2.29, and despite holding the tag as one of the pre-tournament favourites, have now won just one of their last seven matches at the finals.
Read the full match report here!
19:50 CET – A heroic block from Roberto Lopes to deny a goal-bound effort from Mikel Oyarzabal. The Blue Sharks have defended magnificently throughout, as time ticks into stoppage time.
19:47 CET – Just five minutes remain in Atlanta, as Cape Verde edge closer to a historic result against the European champions.
19:32 CET – Lamine Yamal is on for Spain! Can the Barcelona man conjure up some magic to find the all-important breakthrough for his side? We have less than 20 minutes of normal time remaining…
19:21 CET – Spain's profligacy in front of goal has continued into the second half, with more wasted chances for La Roja.
Luis de la Fuente might be tempted to turn to his bench before too long, with Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo and Nico Williams among the attacking options at his disposal.
18:53 CET – We've reached the halfway stage at the Atlanta Stadium, and World Cup debutants Cape Verde have equipped themselves brilliantly to keep European champions Spain at bay.
Goalkeeper Vozinha has starred in particular for the Blue Sharks, making excellent saves to deny Mikel Oyarzabal and Ferran Torres.
Check out all the match stats here.
18:42 CET – Ferran Torres has spurned a glorious chance for La Roja, hitting the bar from only six yards out, while the rebound from Mikel Oyarzabal was expertly tipped over by Vozinha. You feel a goal is coming…
18:33 CET – Spain remain firmly on the front foot in Atlanta, with Real Madrid man Marc Cucurella firing wastefully over from inside the box, while superb defending from Sidny Lopes Cabral denied Mikel Oyarzabal a clear shot on goal.
18:18 CET – As expected, Spain have dominated possession in the opening quarter-hour, but Cape Verde look impressively resolute at the back, limiting Luis de la Fuente's side to just a single effort from range.
17:57 CET – We're just minutes away from kick-off at the Atlanta Stadium, as Spain and Cape Verde prepare to lock horns for the first time in international football.
La Roja are overwhelming favourites to begin their Group H campaign with a win over the tournament debutants, as seen by Opta's pre-match win probability.
Follow live audio commentary via the match link at the top of the page!
16:45 CET – European champions, and one of the World Cup favourites, Spain kick off their tournament against Cape Verde at 18:00 CET in Atlanta. The teams are in, and you can see who's starting below!
Lamine Yamal is only fit enough for the bench, but Rodri, Pedri and Gavi all start in what is a stacked Spanish XI.
15:08 CET – We're still a few hours away from kick-off in the day's first match between Spain and Cape Verde, so here are a few of today's features to whet the appetite!
In-depth statistical preview of Spain's Group H clash with Cape Verde
Faustino Asprilla exclusively speaks on Colombia's World Cup chances & Luis Diaz
Making sense of FIFA's controversial 'hydration breaks' at the tournament
13:40 CET – Good afternoon and welcome to our coverage of day five at the 2026 FIFA World Cup!
After a thrilling start to the tournament with goals aplenty, our attention turns to Groups G and H today, with European champions Spain, Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay, and a star-studded Belgium all getting their campaigns underway.
Catch up on all of yesterday's action with our daily highlights, or relive all of the drama as it unfolded in the day four live tracker.
The 2026 World Cup is taking place from June 11th to July 19th in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The tournament features 48 national teams and is played at 16 modern stadiums.
Match schedule and times | Group tables | How to watch the World Cup | World Cup Format | Past winners of the World Cup
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