The 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, continues its group stage with crucial second-round fixtures. These matches are proving vital in shaping the qualification picture for the knockout stages.

Among the 48 competing nations, 16 hail from Europe. Spain delivered a commanding performance yesterday, triumphing 4-0 over Saudi Arabia, a strong rebound after their earlier setback against Cape Verde. Meanwhile, France, the reigning vice-champions and two-time winners in 1998 and 2018, are set to face Iraq this Monday at 11 PM French time for their second tournament match.

We bring you the pulse of the European teams daily, analyzing their performances and significant developments. Here’s a recap of the key takeaways from the eleventh day of competition, Sunday, June 21st, for the European contingents.

The stat of the day 📊

27.2

This figure represents the average age of players across the sixteen European national teams participating in the World Cup. Bosnia-Herzegovina fields the youngest squad, averaging 26 years old. Notably, there’s a relatively small age gap with the oldest European team, Scotland, whose players average 28.7 years.

The quote 🎙️

I have little to fault my boys for, other than our lack of efficiency. It’s part of a World Cup start, a slow burn. At least we know what result we need against New Zealand.

Rudi Garcia, Belgium coach

After a goalless draw against Iran (0-0) and an earlier stalemate with Egypt, Belgium is struggling in the early stages of the World Cup. However, their French coach, Rudi Garcia, remains optimistic. Following Egypt’s victory overnight, the top spot in the group is no longer solely in the hands of the Red Devils. Belgium must secure a decisive win against New Zealand and hope for a slip-up from Egypt against Iran to claim first place.

Under the spotlight 🔎

For seven consecutive editions, no player who won the Ballon d’Or has managed to follow it up with a World Cup title the following year. Ousmane Dembélé, the 2025 Ballon d’Or recipient and a French forward for Paris Saint-Germain, who also boasts two club European titles, now has the chance to break this streak at the 2026 World Cup with Les Bleus. They are set to challenge Iraq on June 22nd at 11 PM (French time) in Philadelphia for their second group stage fixture.

Several prominent European players, often recipients of football’s most coveted individual award, feature in this historical list: Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner who missed out on World Cup glory in 2014 and 2018; England’s Michael Owen, who was unable to make an impact in 2002; and the unique case of Karim Benzema. The French star, honored in 2022, was unfortunately ruled out of the entire World Cup held in Qatar that same year (which took place in December) due to an injury sustained in training just four days before France’s opening match against Australia.

European team news 📰

With Lamine Yamal on the pitch, everything seems to flow more easily. Still recovering from a thigh injury and not yet at full 90-minute capacity, the Barcelona sensation, making his first World Cup start against Saudi Arabia (4-0), completely transformed his team’s dynamic. The 18-year-old star (who will turn 19 during this World Cup on July 13th) opened the scoring in the 10th minute before being substituted at halftime as a precautionary measure.

“He is back,” Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente declared after the match, a clear warning to their upcoming opponents.