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Cabo Verde players embrace after the 0-0 draw during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match between Spain and Cabo Verde at Atlanta Stadium on June 15, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
ATLANTA – Atlanta hosted its first-ever FIFA World Cup match Monday when Spain faced Cabo Verde in a Group H showdown at Atlanta Stadium. In a surprise to many, the match ended in a draw.
FIFA World Cup newcomer Cabo Verde pulled off a major upset, holding Spain to a 0-0 draw in its tournament debut. Spain dominated possession but struggled to break through Cabo Verde's disciplined defense and veteran goalkeeper Vozinha, who made several key saves.
Despite late pressure and the introduction of star teenager Lamine Yamal, Spain could not find a winner as Cabo Verde secured a memorable point against one of the world's top teams.
A surprising end to the match between Spain and the team from Cabo Verde (also known as Cape Verde). It ended in a draw.
The match is underway inside Atlanta Stadium. The score is 0-0 at the break.
It's a historic moment for Cabo Verde. It is their FIFA World Cup debut.
We're just minutes away from the start of Spain vs. Cabo Verde inside Atlanta Stadium.
Starting lineups have been announced for each team.
Fans are starting to fill the seats inside the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which has been renamed "Atlanta Stadium" for the FIFA World Cup matches. Here are a few photos from inside and outside the stadium. Additionally, players from both Spain and Cabo Verde were spotted warming up inside of the stadium. The match is scheduled to start at 12 p.m.
The FIFA Fan Festival is getting underway in downtown Atlanta. Thousands of fans are expected to pack the venue today for the big match at noon. Click here for our fan festival and local watch party guide.
Excitement is high in downtown Atlanta. Dozens of fans marched to Atlanta Stadium.
Soccer fans gathered on Monday morning for a march to Atlanta Stadium for the first World Cup match in Atlanta today at 12 p.m. between Spain and Cabo Verde.
The gates at Atlanta Stadium opened at 9 a.m., and fans are starting to make their way inside ahead of the noon kickoff between Spain and Cabo Verde — the first FIFA World Cup match ever played in Atlanta.
The atmosphere around the stadium is beginning to pick up as supporters from both countries gather for pregame festivities and fan marches into the venue.
Most fans expect Spain, the world's No. 2-ranked team and 2010 World Cup champion, to come away with a win. But plenty of people are also embracing Cabo Verde's underdog story. The Blue Sharks are making their World Cup debut, and some neutral fans have already adopted them as their team for the tournament.
With three hours to go until kickoff, the crowds are growing and the excitement that Atlanta has been waiting years for is finally starting to feel real.
Gates at Atlanta Stadium opened at 9 a.m., and the first wave of fans is beginning to stream inside ahead of today’s Spain-Cabo Verde matchup. By noon, Atlanta will host its first-ever FIFA World Cup match, a milestone years in the making for the city.
In about two hours, stadium gates will open and fans from both countries will begin making their way inside. But before kickoff, supporters are planning to bring plenty of energy to the streets of downtown Atlanta.
At 9:30 a.m., Spain supporters are expected to march to the stadium from Casa España at Mitchell and Forsyth streets as part of organized pre-match festivities coordinated with FIFA and city leaders.
Not to be outdone, Cabo Verde fans are also planning a 9:30 a.m. gathering at a brewery on Northside Drive before making their way toward the stadium.
Spain and Cabo Verde will meet at noon in the city’s first-ever FIFA World Cup match, marking the beginning of Atlanta’s role as one of the tournament’s host cities. Fans of both teams will be marching to the stadium starting at about 9:30 a.m.
Kickoff is scheduled for noon. Stadium gates opened at 9 a.m., three hours before the start of the match.
The match marks a historic moment for the city after years of planning and preparation. Atlanta Stadium — formerly Mercedes-Benz Stadium — has been transformed for the tournament and was recently named the top World Cup venue in the United States by USA Today.
While no road closures were planned ahead of kickoff, Atlanta police said traffic patterns could change if crowd sizes require additional crowd-control measures.
World Cup Atlanta: Spain faces Cabo Verde in opener
Officials are also preparing for increased security and congestion as international visitors, dignitaries, political leaders and celebrities arrive downtown for the opening match.
Officials are encouraging fans to plan ahead and review stadium policies before heading downtown.
RELATED: Heading downtown? Here's what you need to know
The clear bag policy remains in effect, and FIFA has additional restrictions on items that can be brought inside the stadium. Tickets remained available on the secondary market Monday morning, though prices were still high.
If you’re planning to attend Monday’s Spain-Cabo Verde match or visit downtown Atlanta for World Cup festivities, officials are urging fans to arrive early and leave extra time for travel.
The venue itself has undergone a dramatic transformation for the tournament.
A FIFA-approved natural grass playing surface was installed over the stadium's traditional artificial turf. The grass was grown for more than a year before being transported from Colorado and installed atop a specialized sand and aluminum decking system designed to meet FIFA standards.
Atlanta Stadium is the only indoor venue among the 12 U.S. World Cup host sites, and officials plan to keep the roof closed for today's match.
Weather should cooperate for Atlanta's first World Cup match. Monday will feature a mix of clouds and sunshine with temperatures reaching the low 80s by kickoff. While humidity remains noticeable, conditions are less oppressive than they were over the weekend, and most of metro Atlanta is expected to stay dry through the afternoon.
FULL FORECAST HERE
A few isolated showers could develop well south and west of the city later in the day, but rain is not expected to impact Spain and Cabo Verde at Atlanta Stadium. The roof at Atlanta Stadium will remain closed and fans traveling downtown should find favorable conditions for pregame festivities and outdoor events.
Spain enters the tournament ranked No. 2 in the FIFA world rankings and is widely considered one of the favorites to win the World Cup. The 2010 champions are making their 17th World Cup appearance and feature stars such as Rodri, Pedri and teenage sensation Lamine Yamal.
Cabo Verde, meanwhile, is making its World Cup debut. The island nation off the west coast of Africa has a population of just over 500,000 and is one of the smallest countries ever to qualify for the tournament. The Blue Sharks arrive as one of the lowest-ranked teams in the field but have embraced their role as the underdog.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente cautioned against overlooking Cabo Verde, saying his team expects a difficult challenge despite entering as a heavy favorite.
PREVIOUS STORY: Spain, Cabo Verde fans pack Atlanta ahead of Monday matchup
The two teams are joined in Group H by Saudi Arabia and Uruguay. Teams earn three points for a win and one point for a draw during group play, with the top teams advancing to the knockout rounds.
Spain arrives in Atlanta ranked No. 2 in the FIFA world rankings and fresh off a 3-1 victory over Peru in a pre-tournament friendly. The Spaniards qualified comfortably for the World Cup by winning their European qualifying group and have been among the most consistent international powers over the past two decades.
Sportsbooks have installed Spain as a massive favorite. Most betting markets give La Roja better than an 85% chance of victory, with Spain listed around -1500 on the moneyline entering match day.
Spain's roster includes several of the world's top players, including midfielder Rodri, rising star Lamine Yamal, winger Nico Williams and midfielder Pedri.
Known as the Blue Sharks, Cabo Verde secured its first World Cup appearance by winning its African qualifying group and finishing ahead of Cameroon. The island nation off Africa's west coast enters the tournament with momentum after consecutive 3-0 victories over Serbia and Bermuda in friendlies.
Cabo Verde is currently ranked No. 67 in the world and is considered one of the tournament's biggest underdogs. Still, supporters have embraced the team's unlikely journey to soccer's biggest stage, with the country's worldwide diaspora playing a major role in supporting the national team.
EDITOR'S NOTE: In 2013, the government asked countries and international organizations to use "Cabo Verde" in all languages, similar to how countries such as Côte d'Ivoire prefer not to be translated. While "Cabo Verde" is now the official international name, many people, media outlets and sports fans still use "Cape Verde" because it was widely known by that name for decades.
Spain
Cabo Verde
The United States enters its second World Cup match later this week riding a 4-1 victory over Paraguay in its opener. The Americans set a team World Cup record for goals scored in a match, while striker Folarin Balogun scored twice. The only concern was an injury to Christian Pulisic, who left the match early and remains day-to-day.
Match: Spain vs. Cabo Verde
Competition: FIFA World Cup Group H
Date: Monday, June 15
Time: Noon ET
Location: Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta
TV: FOX
Streaming: FOX One, FOX Sports
Today's game is the first of eight World Cup matches scheduled for Atlanta this summer.
The city will also host Czechia vs. South Africa on June 18, Spain vs. Saudi Arabia on June 21, Morocco vs. Haiti on June 24, Congo DR vs. Uzbekistan on June 27, a Round of 32 match on July 1, a Round of 16 match on July 7 and a semifinal on July 15.
Information for above story comes from live reporting, previous FOX 5 Atlanta reporting, City of Atlanta officials, and organizers for World Cup and World Cup Atlanta.
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