BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Former world champions Spain launch their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign on Monday against debutants Cabo Verde in a clash that pits one of the tournament’s most experienced nations against one of its newest arrivals.

The Group H encounter marks the beginning of Spain’s 17th World Cup appearance and their 13th consecutive participation in football’s biggest tournament, underlining the consistency that has made La Roja one of the global game’s traditional powers.

Spain arrive in North America seeking to add a second World Cup title to the crown they famously won in South Africa in 2010. Having remained a regular fixture at the finals for more than four decades, the Spaniards are once again regarded as strong contenders to progress deep into the competition.

Standing in their way are Cabo Verde, who are set to make history by appearing at the World Cup for the first time. The island nation has become one of four debutants at the 2026 tournament, alongside Curaçao, Jordan and Uzbekistan.

For Cabo Verde, the match represents the culmination of years of remarkable progress in African football. Once considered outsiders on the continental stage, the Blue Sharks have steadily developed into a competitive force capable of challenging established football nations.

While Spain will start as overwhelming favourites, World Cup history is littered with surprises, and Cabo Verde will hope to announce their arrival on the global stage with a memorable performance.

The debutants know that avoiding defeat against one of Europe’s football giants would be a significant achievement and could provide momentum for the remainder of their group-stage campaign.

Spain, meanwhile, will be eager to avoid any early slip-up as they seek a strong start in a group that also includes Uruguay and Saudi Arabia. The 2010 champions understand that opening-match victories often lay the foundation for successful World Cup runs.

As the two teams prepare to face each other for the first time at a World Cup, the contrast could hardly be greater: a nation embarking on its 17th campaign against one making its long-awaited debut.

Yet for 90 minutes, history and reputation will count for little as Cabo Verde chase a dream result and Spain begin another quest for football’s ultimate prize.

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By Kunle Solaja

Egypt will embark on another chapter of their FIFA World Cup journey this Monday when they face Belgium in their opening Group G encounter, carrying the hopes of a nation eager to witness a long-awaited historic breakthrough.

The Pharaohs enter the 2026 FIFA World Cup determined to secure their first-ever victory at football’s biggest tournament. Despite being one of Africa’s most celebrated football nations, Egypt are yet to win a match on the World Cup stage after previous appearances in 1934, 1990 and 2018.

To date, they have played seven matches without a win, scoring a paltry five goals and conceding 12.

As they prepare to take on Belgium, Egypt know that a positive result would not only boost their chances of progressing from Group G but also end a 92-year wait for a World Cup win.

The challenge, however, is formidable. Belgium have built a reputation as one of Europe’s most consistent tournament performers and have not lost a World Cup group-stage opener since 1986. Their experience and pedigree make them favourites, but Egypt are hoping to write a different script.

For the North Africans, the match represents far more than three points. It is an opportunity to erase decades of frustration and establish themselves as genuine contenders in a group that also includes Iran and New Zealand.

Egypt’s previous World Cup campaigns have produced memorable moments but no victories. They held the Netherlands to a draw in Italy 1990 and earned a point against South Africa at Russia 2018, yet the elusive first win has remained out of reach.

Now, with a new generation of players carrying the nation’s ambitions, Egypt believe the time has come to make history.

A victory over Belgium would rank among the greatest achievements in Egyptian football and significantly enhance their prospects of reaching the knockout stages for the first time.

As the Pharaohs step onto the World Cup stage once again, millions of supporters back home will be hoping that their fourth appearance finally delivers the breakthrough they have been waiting for since Egypt became the first African nation to compete at a World Cup in 1934.

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By Kunle Solaja

Egypt captain Mohamed Salah will uniquely celebrate his 34th birthday this Monday when he leads the Pharaohs into their FIFA World Cup Group G opener against Belgium, with history already guaranteed before a ball is kicked.

The outgoing Liverpool forward becomes the first Egyptian player ever to make a FIFA World Cup appearance on his birthday, adding a personal milestone to one of the most important matches of his international career.

While Salah’s birthday will attract attention from football fans around the world, the Egyptian skipper will be focused on a far greater prize – helping his country secure their first-ever victory at the World Cup.

Egypt, making their fourth appearance at football’s biggest tournament, have yet to record a win since becoming the first African nation to participate in the competition in 1934. The clash with Belgium therefore presents an opportunity for both national and personal history.

A victory over the highly-rated Europeans would provide Salah with arguably the perfect birthday present and strengthen Egypt’s hopes of reaching the knockout rounds for the first time.

The former African Footballer of the Year remains the central figure in Egypt’s ambitions, having carried the nation’s hopes in recent major tournaments and qualification campaigns. His experience and leadership will be crucial against a Belgian side renowned for its consistency on the global stage.

Belgium enter the contest with an impressive record, having avoided defeat in a World Cup group-stage opener since 1986. Yet Egypt will draw inspiration from the occasion and from their talismanic captain, whose birthday appearance adds another memorable chapter to his distinguished international career.

For Egyptian supporters, the hope is that Salah’s special day will coincide with an even more significant celebration—a long-awaited first World Cup victory and a giant step towards making history in North America.

As the Pharaohs take the field, millions will be wishing their captain a happy birthday, but even more will be hoping he can mark the occasion with the goal or performance that finally delivers Egypt’s breakthrough on football’s grandest stage.

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