Today marks the start of the 2026 World Cup for one of the favorites, as Spain takes on Cape Verde.
Spain heads into this tournament with a strong record, having nearly gone undefeated in the qualifiers, and they’ve also celebrated a win at the 2024 UEFA European Championship, plus they’ll be in the Nations League finals in 2025.
The team’s roster features Lamine Yamal, an 18-year-old talent who impressed during the 2024 Euros. He is dealing with a hamstring issue right now, but Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente mentioned that Yamal is in “perfect condition.” Still, it seems likely he’ll see limited action off the bench today.
Spain vs. Cape Verde: Essential details
- What: 2026 FIFA World Cup, Group Stage
- When: June 15th, 12:00 PM ET
- Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, Georgia)
- Channel: FOX (English), Telemundo (Spanish)
- Streaming: DIRECTV (Free trial available)
This year, Cape Verde is making its World Cup debut, so this match against Spain will be the first official World Cup game for the nation.
Here’s what you need to know about Spain’s first game in the 2026 World Cup.
Spain vs Cape Verde match time
The match is set to start today, June 15th, at 12 PM ET.
How to watch Spain vs. Cape Verde for free
If you don’t have cable or an antenna, there are options to stream the game. I usually go with DIRECTV for live sports; they’re offering a 5-day free trial, which is pretty great. If you sign up, you can access FOX, FS1, and Telemundo among more than 125 channels.
Spain’s World Cup schedule
| Date and Time | Opponent | TV Channels |
|---|---|---|
| June 15th 12:00 PM ET | Cape Verde | FOX |
| June 21st 12:00 PM ET | Saudi Arabia | FOX |
| June 26th 8 PM ET | Uruguay | FOX |
Cape Verde’s World Cup schedule
| Date and Time | Opponent | TV Channels |
|---|---|---|
| June 15th 12:00 PM ET | Spain | FOX |
| June 21st 6 PM ET | Uruguay | FS1 |
| June 26th 8 PM ET | Saudi Arabia | FS1 |
Spain World Cup squad
Goalkeepers:
- David Raya
- Joan Garcia
- Unai Simon
Defenders:
- Marc Pavil
- Alejandro Grimaldo
- Eric Garcia
- Pedro Polo
- Aymeric Laporte
- Pau Kubalsi
- Marc Cucurella
Midfielders:
- Marcos Llorente
- Mikel Merino
- Fabian Ruiz
- Gabi
- Dani Olmo
- Jeremy Pino
- Alex Baena
- Rodri
- Martin Zubimendi
- Pedri
Forwards:
- Ferran Torres
- Nico Williams
- Lamine Yamal
- Mikel Oyarzabal
- Victor Munoz
- Borja Iglesias
Cape Verde World Cup squad
Goalkeepers:
- Vosinya
- Marcio Rosa
- CJ Dos Santos
Defenders:
- Stopira
- Dinny Borges
- Pico Lopez
- Logan Costa
- Sydney Lopez Cabral
- Stephen Moreira
- Wagner Pina
- Kelvin Pires
Midfielders:
- Kevin Pina
- João Paulo
- Jamiro Monteiro
- Deroy Duarte
- Lalos Duarte
- Yanik Semedo
- Telmo Arcanjo
Forwards:
- Giovane Cabral
- Gilson Bench Mall
- Gary Rodriguez
- Willy Semedo
- Dyron Librament
- Ryan Mendez
- Nuno Da Costa
- Elio Barrera
