World Cup latest news LIVE – reaction and build up ahead of Spain and Belgium games

Lamine Yamal has been deemed fit enough to start for Spain against Saudi Arabia this evening.

Here’s their full starting XI: Simon; Pedro Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Olmo, Rodri, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Oyarazabal, Alex Baena.

Ahead of Uruguay’s clash with Cape Verde tonight, boss Marcelo Bielsa has had his say on the introduction of hydration breaks for every game at the World Cup.

“In my view, it adds nothing and takes away a lot,” he said.

“When [the match] was divided into four periods, no thought was given to the effect it might have on what makes football such a captivating sport, but instead to other repercussions which I’m neither discussing nor analysing.”

A blow for Belgium with Jeremy Doku set to miss out against Iran tonight because of a chest issue.

“He can’t play, and so we’ll be playing without him,” Belgium boss Rudi Garcia said. “I knew since [Friday] evening that he won’t be playing.

“I don’t want to get players to play if they’re not medically up for the game. I can get players to play even if they’re not 100 percent physically, but 100 percent medically is [more important]. But I’m absolutely 100 percent sure we’ll be fine and we’ll be winning tomorrow.”

Ahead of tonight’s game, Belgium boss Rudi Garcia says it is important that Romelu Lukaku’s fitness continues to be managed.

“We do need to be careful, because we could be tempted to play him more than he could,” Garcia said. “But the goal is to have him play to the end [of the World Cup]. We cannot wear him out early. And then there’s competition. As long as the others are fit to play, he can play a role as the super sub. It’s his role par excellence.

“We also could have him start, but I’m not sure he could go further than 60 minutes. … He’s not only a good striker for Belgium, but he’s one of the best in football, and it’s good to have him here. He missed many training sessions, so we’re happy to have him against all odds.”

Belgium take on Iran tonight looking to bounce back from their disappointing draw with Egypt in their opening game.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the clash: How to watch Belgium v Iran, team news, predicted line-ups and more

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The pressure is on Spain to deliver a win tonight against Saudi Arabia.

Here’s all you need to know ahead of the clash: De la Fuente hits back at critics ahead of Saudi Arabia clash

France and Arsenal defender William Saliba admits he is playing while not fully fit at this World Cup.

“I’m not at 100 percent, but there are plenty of players who aren’t at 100 percent either, you can’t make excuses,” he said ahead of France’s game against Iraq.

READ MORE: Arsenal and France defender Saliba admits he is playing through pain at World Cup

Ahead of their game against Saudi Arabia later, Spain boss Luis de la Fuente launched a staunch defence of his players, including midfielder Rodri, following their draw with Cape Verde.

“It seems incredibly insulting to me that people would say that about the best player in the world (Rodri). Would people say that about others who are considered the best in the world? I think they wouldn’t dare,” he said.

“But because they’re Spanish, we say things about our own that we wouldn’t about others. Rodri is the best player in the world. Even at 50%, he is better than most other midfielders in the world. He brings clarity, vision, balance. Rodri is an inspiration for us.”

A huge game for Spain tonight, as they look to bounce back from their shock draw with Cape Verde in their opening game. They take on Saudi Arabia at 5pm UK time.

That’s followed by another big game, with Belgium also needing a victory against Iran, after drawing their opening game against Egypt. That starts at 8pm.

Uruguay are also looking for their first win of the tournament against Cape Verde at 11pm, before New Zealand face Egypt at 2am.

France defender William Saliba admits he was left not too pleased with the quality of the pitch in their game against Senegal in New Jersey.

William Saliba criticises the pitch at the MetLife Stadium in New York 👀 pic.twitter.com/j97xy4LSSC

— Hayters TV (@HaytersTV) June 21, 2026

Brazil’s football federation have confirmed that Barcelona winger Raphinha suffered a hamstring injury against Haiti and will now undergo treatment.

It is unclear how long he could be out for, but Brazil hope he will be able to play again later on in the tournament.

Sweden boss Graham Potter on his side’s heavy defeat yesterday: “We have to congratulate them, and as I said, I think we’ll learn a lot from the game.

“The scoreline affects you; we became a bit passive then. We didn’t quite have the belief in what we wanted to do.

“So that was a disappointment. It was a learning point for us, of course, we’ll be better for it.”

Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey scored twice to set the Netherlands on the way to a 5-1 demolition of Sweden yesterday, and boss Ronald Koeman says he has been impressed with the improvement of the striker this season.

“What is most important is he’s become really fit in the Premier League, where, in the beginning, he didn’t play, later on he got his chances, took them and now he’s super fit,” Koeman said.

“I have read sometimes in a Dutch newspaper he was unable to play 90 minutes. Then, we’ve had a number of occasions where there were complaints, but he has grown in the meantime. He is fitter, sharper and developing really well.

“With one player, maybe things happen. Bit later with others, but he made the necessary steps. At Ajax, he really was not there. He just played. Maybe it made him think, ‘This is what is required of me.’ He was strong but not at the top of his fitness and that’s what he is now. That’s what leads to performance.”

Germany had super sub Deniz Undav to thank for their comeback victory over Ivory Coast, with the Stuttgart striker coming off the bench to score twice in a 2-1 victory to secure their place in the knockout stages.

Boss Julian Nagelsmann was full of praise for the forward.

“Deniz scored two outstanding goals. He is a born goalscorer and finished both chances instinctively,” he said.

“He knows where the goal is, and the winner was incredible. It was an emotional one.

“It’s possible [he could play from the start]. But he’s doing very well in his current role. It can go in both directions.”

After his outstanding display to secure Curacao a point, Eloy Room joked that he deserves a statue in the country.

"I need a statue in Curacao!" 😅

A proud day for Eloy Room after Curacao's first ever World Cup point ❤️ pic.twitter.com/vikfNm0VaX

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 21, 2026

Curacao, the smallest ever nation to qualify for a World Cup, held Ecuador to a goalless draw last night.

There was another heroic goalkeeping performance on display, with Eloy Room tying Tim Howard’s record of 15 saves in a single World Cup match.

All 15 of Eloy Room's record-equalling saves 🧤

The Curacao goalkeeper has tied with Tim Howard for the most saves in a single World Cup match in 90 minutes 💥 pic.twitter.com/0fQraZonUJ

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 21, 2026

Japan secured their first victory of the tournament, following their opening game draw with the Netherlands, by thrashing Tunisia 4-0.

Feyenoord striker Ayase Ueda scored twice, along with goals from Daichi Kamada and Junya Ito.

What a strike that is ☄️

Ayase Ueda with a brilliant effort for Japan pic.twitter.com/3qD4MlQmpF

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 21, 2026

Good morning and welcome to today’s World Cup live blog.

We’ll bring you some reaction to what happened last night, plus the build up to tonight’s games.