World Cup Day 5 What to Watch: Lamine Yamal debuts, Belgium and Egypt face off

The 2026 World Cup continues on Monday with Groups G and H in action.

>Here's what you need to know for Day 5 of the World Cup.

Spain vs. Cape VerdeMonday, June 15 | 12 p.m. ET | Atlanta | TV: Fox

>Odds: Spain (-1250), Cape Verde (+2200), Tie (+1200)

>At long last, it's here: The World Cup debut of Lamine Yamal. The 18-year-old phenom is set to take the field at the World Cup for the first time in his young career, as Spain opens the group stage against Cape Verde.

>Yamal, who has been recovering from a hamstring injury, is likely to sub on rather than start. But hopefully Yamal does make his way into the game to give viewers a glimpse of his brilliance in what is expected to be a pretty easy win for Spain.

>Cape Verde, the second-smallest country in the tournament, is also set to make its World Cup debut with this game. The archipelago island nation had an unlikely run through World Cup qualification, eventually punching its ticket in October. Though a win on Monday is doubtful, Cape Verde will put its best foot forward behind veteran captain Ryan Mendes, a 36-year-old midfielder with the most caps and goals in the nation's history.

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Belgium vs. EgyptMonday, June 15 | 3 p.m. ET | Seattle | TV: Fox

>Odds: Belgium (-160), Egypt (+470), Tie (+290)

>Group stage play for Group G will open with Belgium and Egypt, as Belgium hopes to start the 2026 World Cup on a strong note. Belgium achieved its best result just two cycles ago with a third-place finish in 2018, but suffered an immense disappointment after getting grouped in 2022.

>This summer will offer a chance to get their World Cup history back on track. Led by veterans Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, Belgium also has up-and-coming talents like Man City winger Jérémy Doku who will hope to make a splash in the group stage.

>Egypt, meanwhile, will be guided by veteran forward Mohamed Salah, who has captained the team since 2019. Egypt has never won a game at the World Cup, going 0-2-5 in three tournament appearances. Salah, 33, is likely heading into his last World Cup, and will hope to lead Egypt to that long-awaited first win — if not against Belgium, then later in the group stage.

Saudi Arabia vs. UruguayMonday, June 15 | 6 p.m. ET | Miami Gardens, Fla. | TV: Fox

>Odds: Saudi Arabia (+650), Uruguay (-240), Tie (+340)

>Just four years removed from failing to advance to the group stage — despite tying for second on points, but getting grouped based on goals — Uruguay is back to try and create a different ending. That starts with a matchup against Saudi Arabia to open the group stage, with Uruguay hoping to kick things off with a statement win against a theoretically straightforward opponent.

>For the first time in four World Cups, Uruguay will be playing without veteran striker and notorious upstart Luis Suárez, who retired from international duty two years ago. Without Suárez, who leads the country in goals scored, Uruguay will look to other players to get the ball into the net. Twenty-seven-year-old Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde enters the tournament as the team's captain and its best player.

>Saudi Arabia does not enter this tournament as much of a favorite, but has a surprising amount of experience under its belt. 2026 marks the team's seventh World Cup, and multiple players — including captain Salem Al-Dawsari and vice-captain Mohamed Kanno — are attending their third tournament in a row.

>Group-wise, Uruguay is currently in line to finish second, while Saudi Arabia enters the tournament with a very slight edge over Cape Verde. But any points that Saudi Arabia can get will not only threaten Uruguay's spot, but will also give Saudi Arabia a chance at that coveted third spot, which could lead to a Round of 32 berth if they win enough tiebreakers.

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Iran vs. New ZealandMonday, June 15 | 9 p.m. ET | Inglewood, Calif. | TV: Fox

>Odds: Iran (-120), New Zealand (+370), Tie (+240)

>Heading into the tournament, Iran hopes to be a disruptor in Group G. That journey will start Monday night, as Iran takes on New Zealand. Veteran defender Ehsan Hajsafi, who has anchored the Iranians for their past two tournament appearances, is back with the team after two years off the national team roster. But it will be forward and captain Mehdi Taremi who will be the one to power Iran through the group stage.

>New Zealand, meanwhile, is back in the World Cup for the first time since 2010, taking advantage of the first guaranteed spot for the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) with just its third tournament appearance. Captain Chris Wood, just two years removed from a 20-goal season with Nottingham Forest, is coming off an injury, but looks to lead the team to its first-ever World Cup win. (The Kiwis drew all three of their games in 2010, and lost all three in their first appearance in 1982.)

>Admittedly, this is not quite the marquee matchup of these first group stage games: Both teams are in the bottom half of the standings, and will likely be grappling for third place in a group with Belgium and Egypt. But while a draw won't mean much for knockout implications, a win from either team could complicate the rest of the group going forward.