Spain vs Cape Verde live FIFA World Cup 2026: Lamine Yamal on the bench as the European champions aim for a quick start

Hello and welcome to our coverage of the first game of the day and some big news coming out of Atlanta. Lamine Yamal will start against Cape Verde from the bench. It was supposed to be his World Cup debut, but Spain coach De la Fuente has other plans.

Gavi and Pedri start the contest, Ferran Torres starts on the right. Fabian Ruiz and Rodri are also in midfield. Unai Simon starts in goal with Arsenal’s David Raya on the bench.

Playing XI:

Spain (4-3-3):

Unai Simon, Marcos Llorente, Aymeric Laporte, Pau Cubarsi, Marc Cucurella, Fabian Ruiz, Gavi, Rodri, Pedri, Ferran Torres, Mikel Oyarzabal

Cape Verde (4-2-3-1):

Vozinha, Diney Borges, Pico Lopes, Sidny Lopes Cabral, Steven Moreira, Kevin Pina, Jovane Cabral, Jamiro Monteiro, Laros Duarte, Dailon Livramento, Ryan Mendes