Group G: IR Iran 2-2 New Zealand

Tue, 16 Jun, 2026

Group G: IR Iran 2-2 New Zealand

Inglewood: Islamic Republic of Iran twice battled back for a 2-2 draw with New Zealand in their opening FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G match on Monday.

Striker Elijah Just scored both New Zealand goals but the Oceania side were denied their first FIFA World Cup win by strikes from Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebi.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3178306

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3178308

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/fifa_world_cup.html/photo/group-g-ir-iran-v-new-zealand

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3178545

Group G: Belgium 1-1 Egypt

Tue, 16 Jun, 2026

Group G: Belgium 1-1 Egypt

Seattle: Belgium and Egypt drew 1-1 in their FIFA World Cup Group G opener on Monday after a second-half Belgian equaliser spoiled Mohamed Salah's 34th birthday.

Emam Ashour opened the scoring early in the first half in Seattle, before Romelu Lukaku came off the bench after the hour to force Egypt's Mohamed Hany into an own goal.

 

With the draw, seven-time Africa Cup of Nations champions Egypt's wait for a first victory at a World Cup goes on.

Group H: Saudi Arabia 1-1 Uruguay

Tue, 16 Jun, 2026

Group H: Saudi Arabia 1-1 Uruguay

Miami Gardens: Saudi Arabia displayed immense defensive resilience to hold Uruguay to a 1-1 draw in Group H of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Monday.

Goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais produced an outstanding performance as three-time AFC Asian Cup™ winners Saudi Arabia absorbed intense pressure in the second half to deny the South American side full points and leave the group wide open following Spain's goalless draw with Cape Verde in their match.

Defender Abdulelah al-Amri gave the Saudis a surprise lead near the end of the first half only for Uruguay's second-half pressure to pay off with 10 minutes left through Maxi Araujo.

Group H: Spain 0-0 Cabo Verde

Tue, 16 Jun, 2026

Group H: Spain 0-0 Cabo Verde

Atlanta: Spain's ghosts of recent FIFA World Cup horror shows reappeared in Atlanta as the European champions were held 0-0 by debutants Cape Verde in their Group H opener on Monday.

Lamine Yamal was left on the bench as the Barcelona superstar is eased back to fitness after nearly two months out with a hamstring injury and even his appearance as a second-half substitute failed to break down Cape Verde's dogged defence.

 

Since winning the World Cup for the first time in 2010, Spain have not won a knockout game and their inability to make dominance of possession count was reminiscent of their meek exits in 2018 and 2022.

Expect more from Australia, says Popovic

Sun, 14 Jun, 2026

Expect more from Australia, says Popovic

Vancouver: Head coach Tony Popovic is confident Australia are capable of much more after the impressive 2-0 win against Türkiye in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D opener on Saturday.

While goals from Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe sealed the win, Popovic's decision to opt for rookie goalkeeper Patrick Beach and midfielder Paul Okon-Engstler in place of Maty Ryan Jackson Irvine respectively proved to be a masterstroke, with both delivering on the grandest of stages.

Lopetegui: Qatar have earned the right to dream

Sun, 14 Jun, 2026

Lopetegui: Qatar have earned the right to dream

Santa Clara: Julen Lopetegui has urged his players to keep believing after Qatar secured a last-gasp 1-1 draw with Switzerland in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group B opener on Saturday.

Boualem Khoukhi's late equaliser sealed Qatar their first ever FIFA World Cup point, with their debut as hosts four years ago ending in three defeats.