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The 2026 FIFA World Cup is in full swing, and Match Day 9 delivered drama, goals, and a few surprises. Here’s everything you need to know from June 21 — plus a look at what’s coming next.
Match Results — Sunday, June 21
| Match | Score | Group | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spain vs. Saudi Arabia | 4-0 | Group H | Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta) |
| Belgium vs. Iran | 0-0 | Group G | SoFi Stadium (Inglewood) |
| Uruguay vs. Cape Verde | 2-2 | Group H | Hard Rock Stadium (Miami) |
| New Zealand vs. Egypt | Late game | Group G | BC Place (Vancouver) |
Spain 4-0 Saudi Arabia — La Roja Looking Lethal
Spain put on a masterclass in Atlanta, dismantling Saudi Arabia 4-0 in their second Group H match. The Spaniards dominated possession (72%) and created chance after chance with their trademark tiki-taka style.
After drawing 0-0 with Cape Verde in their opener, this was the statement performance Spain needed. The win puts them top of Group H with 4 points, and they look like genuine contenders going forward.
Belgium 0-0 Iran — Red Devils in Crisis Mode
Belgium’s so-called “golden generation” is running out of time. After needing a late own-goal to draw 1-1 with Egypt in their opener, the Red Devils produced another lifeless performance — a 0-0 stalemate with Iran at SoFi Stadium.
Thibaut Courtois was actually the busier goalkeeper, making several sharp saves to keep Iran at bay. Belgium have just 2 points from two games and face a must-win against New Zealand on June 26. If Egypt beat New Zealand, Belgium could even be eliminated from the tournament.
For the USMNT, this is big news. The USA has already won Group D and would face the Group G winner in the Round of 16. With Belgium stumbling, Iran has a real chance to top Group G — setting up a potential USA vs. Iran knockout clash that would be massive given the geopolitical tension between the two nations.
Uruguay 2-2 Cape Verde — The Underdog Story Continues
Cape Verde, the tiny island nation making its World Cup debut, is quickly becoming the tournament’s feel-good story. After holding Spain 0-0 in their opener, they came back from behind twice to draw 2-2 with Uruguay in Miami.
This is the kind of magic that makes the World Cup special. Cape Verde have 2 points and a real shot at advancing to the knockout stage as one of the best third-place finishers.
Netherlands 5-1 Sweden, Japan 4-0 Tunisia (June 20 Recap)
Saturday’s action was equally spectacular:
- Netherlands 5-1 Sweden — The Dutch were devastating in Houston, putting five past Sweden to bounce back from their opening draw with Japan.
- Japan 4-0 Tunisia — Japan are storming through Group F after a 4-0 thrashing of Tunisia. Following their dramatic 2-2 draw with the Netherlands, the Samurai Blue look sharp.
- Germany 2-1 Ivory Coast — The Germans got the job done in Toronto, taking control of Group E.
Group G Standings (After 2 Matches)
| Pos | Team | Pts | GD |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iran | 2 | 0 |
| 2 | Belgium | 2 | 0 |
| 3 | New Zealand | 1 | 0 |
| 4 | Egypt | 1 | 0 |
Group G is WIDE open. Any of the four teams could still advance.
Upcoming Fixtures — Monday, June 22
| Match | Time (ET) | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Group B: Switzerland vs. Canada | 3 PM | BC Place (Vancouver) |
| Group B: Bosnia vs. Qatar | 3 PM | Lumen Field (Seattle) |
| Group I: France vs. Senegal | 6 PM | Levi’s Stadium (San Francisco) |
| Group A: Czechia vs. Mexico | 9 PM | Estadio Azteca (Mexico City) |
| Group J: Argentina vs. Austria | 9 PM | AT&T Stadium (Dallas) |
Don’t miss Argentina vs. Austria tonight — Lionel Messi is chasing history after his hat-trick against Algeria, and Argentina could secure knockout qualification with a win.
FAQ
Q: How does the 2026 World Cup knockout format work?
A: The tournament expanded to 48 teams across 12 groups of 4. The top 2 from each group advance, plus the top 8 third-place finishers — making 32 teams in the knockout stage. No group-stage rematches are allowed in the Round of 32.
Q: Where can I watch the 2026 World Cup in the US?
A: All matches are broadcast on Fox, FS1, and streamed on Fubo. Check your local listings for specific match times.
Q: Who are the favorites to win the World Cup?
A: Spain, Argentina, France, and England are the top contenders based on current form. Spain’s 4-0 demolition of Saudi Arabia has many analysts bumping them up their rankings.
Q: How far can the USMNT go?
A: After winning Group D (4-1 vs Paraguay, 2-0 vs Australia), the USMNT faces a favorable knockout path. They play a third-place qualifier on July 1 in Santa Clara, then potentially the Group G winner (Belgium or Iran) in the Round of 16.
Final Thoughts
Match Day 9 of the 2026 World Cup reminded us why this tournament is special. Spain looks like a powerhouse, Belgium is in trouble, and tiny Cape Verde is stealing hearts. With the knockout bracket starting to take shape, every match matters from here on out.
What’s your take? Can Belgium save themselves? Is this finally Spain’s year? Drop your thoughts below!
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