World Cup schedule: Watch Spain v Cape Verde, Belgium v Egypt, Iran v New Zealand, and Saudi Arabia v Uruguay

European champions Spain kick off their World Cup campaign against Cape Verde in a match that could see Luis de la Fuente's side put down an early marker.

Belgium might do similar against Egypt although Mohamed Salah and Co have Tournament ambitions of their own having never made it out of a World Cup group. The encounter in Seattle could be a competitive one.

The final game of the day will see Iran play their first World Cup match after a less-than-ideal build-up that has forced them to move training to Mexico amid tensions with the Trump administration.

Complete guide to TV channels and live streaming options for today's World Cup matches, including FOX, Telemundo, BBC, and ITV in the United States and United Kingdom.

Indeed, de la Fuente's side plays more like a club team than any other outfit in the international game. Their cohesion could be the envy of the rest of the World Cup and Cape Verde could be the first to experience this first-hand.

Player to watch: Lamine Yamal, Spain – Fitness-permitting, Yamal will be Spain's primary difference-maker in the final third. The teenager is an all-round attacking threat on the right wing that makes up for the lack of a truly world-class centre forward.

At its best, ‘Bielsa-ball’ is exhilarating. Uruguay have the players to perform the high-energy, high-risk game favoured by Marcelo Bielsa and this will be their first chance to prove it at the World Cup. And yet, the legendary Argentine’s inherent volatility also makes Uruguay unpredictable. Which team will show up?

Iran may not boast many household names, but this is a team that cruised through qualification, losing just once in the process, and has been competitive at previous World Cups, including in 2022 when they lost only narrowly to the US. Team Melli could surprise some people.

New Zealand similarly found qualifying a breeze, although the lack of competition in the OFC won’t have prepared the All Whites for the sort of challenge they will face in all three group games. They will set up to stay compact and play direct into the attacking third.

Player to watch: Fede Valverde, Uruguay – As one of the most effective midfield dynamos in the world, Valverde will set the tone for Uruguay at this World Cup with his constant running and drive to play forward. He’s the perfect Bielsa player.