The second Sunday of the 2026 World Cup is the sequel to a tie-filled day earlier in the tournament.
All eight teams playing Sunday tied their opening matches on June 15. It was the first time in 66 years that there had been four World Cup draws on the same day. Can the feat be repeated twice in a week? Here’s what you need to know.
Sunday, June 21 | 12 a.m. ET | Atlanta | TV: Fox
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Odds: Spain (-900), Saudi Arabia (+2000), Tie (+900)
Sunday is the day that Spain scores its first goal of the 2026 World Cup and gets its first win, right? Or will Saudi Arabia pull an upset like it did to start the 2022 World Cup?
Spain tied Cape Verde 0-0 to open this World Cup, while Saudi Arabia got a late goal to secure a draw against Uruguay. Another tie here would be an incredible surprise, and it would also raise big questions about Spain just two years after it won Euro 2024.
Coach Luis de la Fuente hasn’t given many hints about the status of Lamine Yamal. The 18-year-old didn’t start against Cape Verde as he recovers from a hamstring injury suffered at Barcelona. Don’t be surprised if Yamal at least sees more minutes than he did in the opener.
Sunday, June 21 | 3 p.m. ET | Inglewood, Ca. | TV: FS1
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Odds: Belgium (-240), Iran (+650), Tie (+360)
Belgium couldn’t complete the comeback in its 1-1 tie against Egypt, while Iran tied New Zealand 2-2 to start the tournament.
After Egypt went ahead in the 20th minute, the Belgians needed a 66th minute own goal for the tie just seconds after Romelu Lukaku entered the game. Will the 33-year-old striker get the start on Sunday, or is he going to be used as a super sub?
Iran is again traveling to the United States from its base camp in Mexico hours before the game. Ramin Rezeaélan and Mohammed Mohebbi scored the team’s goals against New Zealand as Iran produced just four shots on goal.
Uruguay vs. Cabo Verde
Sunday, June 21 | 6 p.m. ET | Miami Gardens, Fl. | TV: FS1
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Odds: Uruguay (-210), Cape Verde (+650), Tie (+310)
What does Vozinha have for a sequel after his star turn in Cape Verde’s draw against Spain? The 40-year-old goalkeeper has gained 14 million instagram followers after he shut Spain out.
Given the status of Group G, Cape Verde has a real chance to make it to the Round of 32. Even if it doesn’t, the tie against Spain wasn’t a fluke. This is a team that didn’t need the African playoffs to make the World Cup.
Uruguay was better against Saudi Arabia when Real Madrid star Federico Valverde moved to the middle of the field from his starting spot on the outside. Valverde should start there against Cape Verde as Uruguay hopes to capitalize better on its goal chances. Uruguay had 1.72 expected goals against Saudi Arabia based on the chance quality that it created.
New Zealand vs. Egypt
Sunday, June 21 | 9 p.m. ET | Vancouver | TV: FS1
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Odds: New Zealand (+470), Egypt (-165), Tie (+300)
New Zealand’s Elijah Just can continue to be one of the more unexpected contenders for the Golden Boot with a goal or two against Egypt. Just scored both of the Kiwis goals against Iran, while Nottingham Forest’s Chris Wood was credited with two assists. A win would all but guarantee New Zealand its first knockout round appearance at the World Cup in its third-ever tournament.
Egypt, meanwhile, has made it to the Round of 16 just once. And that came all the way back in 1934. That was the second World Cup. Outside of the own goal, Mohamed Salah and his teammates defended well against Belgium, though getting Salah more opportunities at goal is a priority. He assisted on Emam Ashour’s 20th-minute goal but had just one shot himself.
