The fifth matchday of the 2026 World Cup proved to be the most surprising of the tournament so far: all four matches on June 15 ended in draws. The biggest shock was reigning European champion Spain failing to break through the goalkeeper of debutants Cape Verde, leaving them without a point in the opening round. Groups G and H have no leader after the first round of matches — all teams are level on one point.
Night Results
Spain — Cape Verde 0:0 (Group H, Atlanta)
The match kicked off at 19:00 Kyiv time at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Spain, considered one of the tournament favourites, dominated possession — 734 passes to their opponents' 205 — yet could not find a way through. Cape Verde, making their World Cup debut, built a solid defensive wall and earned a historic point. Lamine Yamal came on as a substitute in the 71st minute and completed five dribbles — more than any other player on the pitch — but could not turn the tide. For Spain, this is already their fourth consecutive World Cup match without a win, equalling their own unwanted record.
Belgium — Egypt 1:1 (Group G, Seattle)
The match started at 22:00 Kyiv time at Lumen Field in Seattle. Egypt took the lead as early as the 19th minute: Emam Ashour received a pass from Mohamed Salah and struck powerfully from outside the penalty area into the bottom corner past Thibaut Courtois. It was Ashour's first international goal, while Salah — on his 34th birthday — provided the assist. Belgium responded after Romelu Lukaku came on: just 22 seconds after the striker's introduction, Belgian pressure forced Mohamed Hany to put the ball into his own net. It was the third own goal of the 2026 World Cup — more than in the entire 2022 tournament. Belgium pressed until the final whistle, but Egyptian goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir held firm to preserve the draw.
Saudi Arabia — Uruguay 1:1 (Group H, Miami)
The match began at 01:00 Kyiv time (June 16) at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Defender Abdulelah Al-Amri opened the scoring by tapping in a rebound from a long-range effort — becoming the first Saudi Arabian defender to score at a World Cup. Uruguay went into the break trailing 0:1, but after Marcelo Bielsa's changes they completely outplayed their opponents in the second half: 23 shots on goal in the second half — the second-highest tally in World Cup history. Goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais made nine saves — the most by any goalkeeper in a single match at this tournament. Maxi Araújo equalised in the 80th minute, converting inside the penalty area.
Iran — New Zealand 2:2 (Group G, Los Angeles)
The most entertaining match of the day concluded at 04:00 Kyiv time at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood. New Zealand took the lead through a goal from Elijah Just, but Iran levelled before half-time. In the second half the All Whites went ahead again, but Mohammad Mohebbi headed in a cross from Ramin Rezaeian to make it 2:2. Rezaeian became the first player in Iran's history to both score and assist in the same World Cup match, and the first Iranian to score at two different World Cups. After the match, coach Amir Ghalenoei stressed that the team played "for all Iranians."
Group Standings
Group G
After the first round, Belgium, Egypt, Iran and New Zealand all have one point each. No team has won — the group remains completely open ahead of the second round.
Group H
The situation is identical: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay are all on one point. For Spain, who began the tournament as one of the main favourites, the draw against debutants significantly complicates their task in the group.
Off the Pitch
- Tunisia's coach sacked. Sabri Lamouchi lost his job after just one match at the 2026 World Cup — a 1:5 defeat to Sweden on the previous matchday.
- Iran relocated their base camp. Before the match against New Zealand, the Iranian squad was forced to move their base camp from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico — FIFA did not disclose the reasons.
- Uruguay's flight delayed. The Uruguayan squad arrived in Miami late due to a flight delay in Mexico — FIFA attributed the incident to "an airline error with permits."
- Yamal's record. Lamine Yamal became the youngest European player to appear at two major tournaments (Euro 2024 and the 2026 World Cup) — at the age of 18 years and 337 days.
Today, June 16, four more matches are scheduled at the World Cup: France — Senegal (at 22:00 Kyiv time), Iraq — Norway (at 01:00, June 17), Argentina — Algeria and Austria — Jordan (both at 04:00, June 17).
