【World Cup 2026】Groups E–H Matchday 1 – All 8 Matches Recap | Germany Win 7-1, Japan Draw Thriller vs Netherlands, Spain Scoreless
A full recap of all 8 matches from World Cup Groups E–H Matchday 1, played June 15–16, 2026. Germany cruise to a 7-1 victory, Japan draw 2-2 with Netherlands in a hard-fought match, and Spain fail to score against Cabo Verde. Covers scores, goalscorers, cards, pass accuracy, and what to watch in the next matchday.
All 8 matches of Matchday 1 across Groups E–H at WC 2026 were played on June 15–16 (JST). Here's a complete roundup covering scores, scorers, bookings/dismissals, pass accuracy, and key storylines to watch in Matchday 2.
Germany were the undisputed stars of the opening matchday. Despite being pegged back to 1-1 by Curaçao, they ultimately ran out 7-1 winners, underlining their credentials as title contenders. In Group F, Japan twice came from behind against the Netherlands to earn a 2-2 draw, with Kamada Daichi's 89th-minute equalizer securing a precious point.
There were upsets aplenty, however. In Group H, Spain fired 27 shots at Cape Verde yet could not find the net, finishing 0-0. Saudi Arabia held Uruguay to 1-1, while Belgium needed an own goal to salvage a 1-1 draw with Egypt — a damaging set of results for the tournament favorites.
sports_soccer All 8 Matches at a Glance
| Date (JST) | Fixture | Score | Bookings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6/15 | Germany vs Curaçao | 7-1 | Y0 |
| 6/15 | Netherlands vs Japan | 2-2 | Y3 |
| 6/15 | Côte d'Ivoire vs Ecuador | 1-0 | Y4 |
| 6/15 | Sweden vs Tunisia | 5-1 | Y1 |
| 6/16 | Spain vs Cape Verde | 0-0 | Y2 |
| 6/16 | Belgium vs Egypt | 1-1 | Y4 |
| 6/16 | Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay | 1-1 | Y1 |
| 6/16 | Iran vs New Zealand | 2-2 | Y1 |
Across all 8 matches there were zero dismissals (red cards). Bookings totalled just 16 yellow cards, with most games settling into a composed, measured tempo befitting an opening matchday.
local_fire_department 1. Germany 7-1 Curaçao (6/15 · NRG Stadium / Houston)
Title favorites Germany got off to a high-scoring start. F. Nmecha opened the scoring in the 6th minute (assisted by Wirtz), only for Curaçao — making their World Cup debut — to level through Komenencia in the 21st minute in a dramatic early twist. Germany then took over completely. Schlotterbeck made it 2-1 in the 38th minute, Havertz converted a penalty in the 45th, and Musiala added a third in the 47th. The second half brought further goals from Brandt (68'), Undav (78'), and Havertz (88') to seal a 7-1 rout, with Havertz finishing with a brace.
With 65% possession, 87% pass accuracy, and 26 shots (12 on target), Germany's attack clicked on all cylinders and left no doubt about their status as title contenders from the very first game.
sports_soccer 2. Netherlands 2-2 Japan (6/15 · AT&T Stadium / Dallas)
Japan more than held their own against the Netherlands, sharing the spoils with a point apiece. Van Dijk headed the Dutch in front in the 51st minute, but Nakamura Keito levelled in the 57th after a through ball from Kubo Takefusa. Summerville restored the Dutch lead in the 64th, yet Japan refused to yield — in the 89th minute, Kamada Daichi prodded home a cross from Ogawa Kouki to make it 2-2 for the second time.
Japan conceded possession with just 40%, but their efficiency in front of goal — 3 of their 10 shots on target — kept a top-class opponent under pressure until the final whistle. Coming back from two deficits is a major confidence boost as they set their sights on the knockout rounds.
sports_soccer 3. Côte d'Ivoire 1-0 Ecuador (6/15 · Lincoln Financial Field / Philadelphia)
Côte d'Ivoire won a battle of patience against Ecuador. Ecuador edged possession at 52%, and the match remained locked in a stalemate for long stretches. Côte d'Ivoire were under additional pressure having collected three yellow cards in the first half, but in the 90th minute Amad Diallo latched onto a pass from Singo to fire in the decisive goal and seal a 1-0 victory.
sports_soccer 4. Sweden 5-1 Tunisia (6/15 · Estadio BBVA / Monterrey)
Sweden cruised to a comfortable victory with an efficient attacking display. Ayari struck in the 7th minute and Isak doubled the lead in the 30th (assisted by Gyökeres) to make it 2-0. Rekik pulled one back for Tunisia in the 43rd, but Gyökeres (59'), Svanberg (84'), and Ayari again (90') put the game to bed. Ayari finished with a brace, while Isak contributed 1 goal and 2 assists to lead the attack.
Tunisia edged possession at 51%, but the defining factor was Sweden's clinical finishing: 7 of their 13 shots were on target, a striking conversion rate that decided the match.
star 5. Spain 0-0 Cape Verde (6/16 · Mercedes-Benz Stadium / Atlanta)
Title favorites Spain suffered a shock stumble. Despite dominating with 74% possession, 92% pass accuracy, 801 total passes, and 27 shots, they could not break down Cape Verde — making their World Cup debut — and were held to a goalless draw. Cape Verde managed just one shot on target but defended with every man behind the ball, earning a historic point. For Spain, it was a frustrating opening that left plenty of questions unanswered.
local_fire_department 6. Belgium 1-1 Egypt (6/16 · Lumen Field / Seattle)
Egypt gave title contenders Belgium a real scare. Ashour broke the deadlock in the 19th minute with an assist from Salah. Belgium held 54% of the ball but managed only 3 shots on target, eventually drawing level in the 66th minute through an own goal by Mohamed Hany. With Salah pulling the strings and the whole team defending resolutely, Egypt claimed a priceless point against one of the tournament's heavyweights.
sports_soccer 7. Saudi Arabia 1-1 Uruguay (6/16 · Hard Rock Stadium / Miami)
Saudi Arabia produced a resilient performance to hold South American powerhouse Uruguay. Al-Amri headed Saudi Arabia in front in the 41st minute. Uruguay dominated with 67% possession and 27 shots (10 on target) but could not find a way through until Araujo finally levelled in the 80th minute. Saudi Arabia held on for a hard-fought 1-1 and a vital point.
sports_soccer 8. Iran 2-2 New Zealand (6/16 · SoFi Stadium / Los Angeles)
An open, end-to-end contest ended level. New Zealand's E. Just (assisted by Wood) opened the scoring in the 7th minute, only for Rezaeian to equalise for Iran in the 32nd. Just struck again in the 54th to restore New Zealand's lead, but Mohebi (assisted by Rezaeian) pulled Iran level in the 64th to make it 2-2. Just finished with a brace for New Zealand, who also produced 8 shots on target, while Iran twice showed the determination to come back and claim a share of the points.
star Pass Accuracy Rankings (Matchday 1 · All 16 Teams)
| Rank | Team | Pass Acc. | Passes (Comp/Att) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spain | 92% | 734/801 | △ 0-0 |
| 2 | Netherlands | 88% | 463/524 | △ 2-2 |
| 3 | Uruguay | 88% | 540/612 | △ 1-1 |
| 4 | Germany | 87% | 554/637 | ○ 7-1 |
| 5 | Belgium | 86% | 388/452 | △ 1-1 |
| 6 | Ecuador | 85% | 419/492 | ● 0-1 |
| 7 | New Zealand | 85% | 377/446 | △ 2-2 |
| 8 | Côte d'Ivoire | 84% | 397/470 | ○ 1-0 |
| 9 | Japan | 84% | 286/341 | △ 2-2 |
| 10 | Curaçao | 82% | 282/343 | ● 1-7 |
| 11 | Egypt | 81% | 322/397 | △ 1-1 |
| 12 | Sweden | 79% | 280/353 | ○ 5-1 |
| 13 | Tunisia | 79% | 288/364 | ● 1-5 |
| 14 | Iran | 77% | 312/405 | △ 2-2 |
| 15 | Cape Verde | 73% | 205/279 | △ 0-0 |
| 16 | Saudi Arabia | 73% | 236/322 | △ 1-1 |
What stands out is that greater possession did not guarantee victory. Spain (92%) and Uruguay (88%) dominated the ball yet could not win, while efficiency-focused Sweden and Côte d'Ivoire were the ones who collected three points.
calendar_month Key Matchday 2 Fixtures (from 6/21)
- sports_soccer Netherlands vs Sweden (6/21 02:00 · NRG Stadium) — A Group F top-of-the-table clash. The Netherlands, who drew their opener, take on Sweden fresh off a five-goal rout.
- local_fire_department Germany vs Côte d'Ivoire (6/21 05:00 · BMO Field) — A battle between two Group E sides who both won their opening games. Can Côte d'Ivoire's last-gasp resolve test Germany's seven-goal machine?
- star Tunisia vs Japan (6/21 13:00 · Estadio BBVA) — A pivotal match in Japan's bid for the knockout rounds. After drawing with the Netherlands, Japan target their first win of the tournament against a Tunisia side that shipped five goals.
- info Spain vs Saudi Arabia (6/22 01:00 · Mercedes-Benz Stadium) — Spain need to rediscover their clinical edge after failing to score; Saudi Arabia silenced Uruguay. Can the favorites bounce back?
All scores and statistics are based on API-Football data (as of 17 June 2026). For the latest standings in each group, visit the article Group Stage Standings page; full fixtures and results are available on the article Match Schedule & Results page. Matchday roundups will continue to be updated as the tournament progresses.