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Jun 21, 2026
Analyzed by GPT OSS 120B

World Cup 2026 Day 11: Spain, Iran and Key Fixtures Preview

AI Summary
Day 11 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup features Spain vs Saudi Arabia and Belgium vs Iran, alongside Uruguay‑Cape Verde and New Zealand‑Egypt. Opta’s models give clear favourites, while travel restrictions continue to hamper Iran’s preparations.

Day 11 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup brings a packed schedule with European champions Spain taking on Saudi Arabia in Atlanta, while Belgium meets Iran in Los Angeles, and the day rounds off with Uruguay vs Cape Verde and New Zealand vs Egypt.

The Day‑11 Showdown: Spain vs Saudi Arabia and Belgium vs Iran

  • Spain vs Saudi Arabia – Atlanta Stadium, noon EDT (16:00 GMT). Opta gives Spain an 86.7% chance to win, Saudi Arabia 4.3%, with a 9% draw probability.
  • Belgium vs Iran – Los Angeles Stadium, 3 pm EDT (19:00 GMT). Belgium is favoured at 67.5%, a draw sits at 19.3%, and Iran has 13.2% to pull off an upset.

Match Schedule and Venues Across North America

  • Uruguay vs Cape Verde – Miami Stadium, 6 pm EDT (22:00 GMT).
  • New Zealand vs Egypt – BC Place, Vancouver, 9 pm EDT (01:00 GMT on Monday).

Probability Breakdown: Who’s Favoured in Each Fixture

  • Uruguay vs Cape Verde: Uruguay 67.2% win, Cape Verde 12.2%, draw 20.6%.
  • New Zealand vs Egypt: Egypt 59.6% win, New Zealand 17.7%, draw 22.6%.

Travel Restrictions Loom Over Iran’s Campaign

The United States continues to limit Iran to travel to venues only within 24 hours of each match and requires the squad to return to its training base in Tijuana, Mexico after every game. Coach Amir Ghalenoei called the side “the most oppressed team in the whole World Cup,” while White House task‑force director Andrew Giuliani said the situation remains fluid.

What the Outcomes Could Mean for the Group Stage

If the favourites hold, Spain and Belgium will solidify their positions in Group C, while a win for Uruguay keeps them on track for a top‑two finish. An upset by Iran or Cape Verde could reshuffle the qualification picture, but no team can clinch or lose a spot on this day alone.