World Cup LIVE: Iran arrive in USA as favourites Spain prepare to kick off their campaign

World Cup LIVE: Iran arrive in USA as favourites Spain prepare to kick off their campaign World Cup favourites Spain will kick off their campaign today with fans eager to see if the team can win their first match amid injury scares Welcome to Mirror Sport's coverage of the 2026 World Cup on Monday, June 15. Iran's national team will fly into the US for its first match of the 2026 World Cup amid visa denials for team members and strict travel curfews. Fans will also have their eyes on tournament favourites Spain as they kick off their campaign against one of the smallest nations in the competition this year - Cape Verde. While being the favourites for glory this year, La Roja suffered a minor injury scare in the weeks before the World Cup for two of its key young players. Barcelona star Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams both picked up injuries but Spain confirmed the two will be available for their first game but neither player will start. Iran will kick off their campaign against New Zealand at 2am UK time (6pm local time) in Los Angeles. Political turmoil with the war in the Middle East has led to a fierce run up ahead of the tournament, with Iran's base camp being in Mexico and the team flying into the US for their matches and flying out the same day. Donald Trump and Iran signed a peace deal, on Sunday, to bring an end to the conflict and Secretary of State Marco Rubio previously said Iran's players will be able to fly into the US for the tournament but individuals with links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) could face restrictions. This comes as 11 members of Iran's World Cup delegation will not be allowed to travel to the US for their matches and Iran accused the US of denying visas to "integral" backroom staff. Elsewhere, Belgium will play Egypt at 8pm UK time and Saudi Arabia and Uruguay will kick off their campaigns at 11pm UK time. Spain yesterday confirmed that their star striker Lamine Yamal will be available against Cape Verde but will not start. The 18-year-old suffered an injury scare in the weeks leading up to the tournament but Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente said the teen was "in perfect condition".