World Cup Day 11 What to Watch: Can Spain get win over Saudi Arabia after draw with Cape Verde?
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Nick BrombergSenior writerSun, June 21, 2026 at 4:54 AM UTC·3 min readThe second Sunday of the 2026 World Cup is the sequel to a draw-filled day earlier in the tournament.
All eight teams playing Sunday tied in 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.
AdvertisementAdvertisementSpain vs. Saudi Arabia
Sunday, June 21 | 12 a.m. ET | Atlanta | TV: Fox
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 sees more minutes than he did in the opener.
AdvertisementAdvertisementBelgium vs. Iran
Sunday, June 21 | 3 p.m. ET | Inglewood, California | TV: FS1
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 Sunday, or is he going to be used as a super sub?
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, Florida | TV: FS1
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.
AdvertisementAdvertisementNew Zealand vs. Egypt
Sunday, June 21 | 9 p.m. ET | Vancouver | TV: FS1
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.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
