Why European Teams Are Struggling at World Cup 2026
🤖 AI Generated ImageSix European teams have played their opening World Cup 2026 matches. Two won. Four didn't.
Spain drew 0-0 with Cape Verde — ranked 134th in the world. Belgium were held 1-1 by Egypt. Netherlands gave up a late equaliser in a 2-2 draw with Japan. Czechia lost 2-1 to South Korea. Only Germany and Scotland collected three points on matchday one.
Spain's Draw With Cape Verde Was the Most Telling Result
Cape Verde had never beaten a former World Cup winner. June 15, 2026 changed that — or nearly did.
Spain, the reigning European champion and one of the tournament's top-four favourites, produced nothing for 90 minutes against a side drawn almost entirely from Portugal's lower leagues and a handful of Central European clubs.
Bleacher Report reported that Lamine Yamal — Spain's most dangerous attacker — was only brought on as a substitute, having been managed through a minor fitness concern ahead of the tournament.
Without him, Spain's attack had no rhythm.
Coach Luis de la Fuente had issued a "win, win, win" mandate after the draw was made. His team delivered zero.
📰 Related: Spain Held to 0-0 Draw by Cape Verde in World Cup Opener
🤖 AI Generated ImageBelgium and Netherlands Add to Europe's Difficult Start
Belgium's draw with Egypt was less surprising on paper — but still a concerning result for a generation of players making what may be their final tournament appearance.
Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, both past 30, need this competition to run deep for Belgium to matter. A draw in the opener gives them no margin against Iran.
Yahoo Sports reported that both Spain and Belgium are in groups where all four teams sit on one point after matchday one — a scenario that reflects how competitive the expanded 48-team field has become.
The Netherlands drew 2-2 with Japan in Dallas, with Daichi Kamada rescuing a late equaliser — confirmed by UEFA's official match tracker. Czechia were the only European side to lose, beaten 2-1 by South Korea.
📰 Related: Netherlands vs Japan 2-2: Kamada Rescues Late Group F Point
The Format Change Is Quietly Helping Everyone But Europe
This is the first World Cup with 12 groups of four, where eight third-placed teams advance to the round of 32.
Under the old format, a draw in game one created pressure. Under this structure, even a team with four points after three games has a realistic path through.
For non-European opponents — Cape Verde, Iran, Egypt, Japan, South Korea — the calculation has shifted. They no longer need to beat a European giant. A draw is enough. And against Spain and Belgium, it was exactly enough.
Europe's top sides, built on control and possession, now face opponents who are better organised, less intimidated, and increasingly aware that a single disciplined 90 minutes can be worth the same as three points against a lesser opponent.
📰 Related: Germany vs Curaçao 7-1: Havertz Leads Group E Win
🤖 AI Generated ImageWhat Comes Next For Europe's Biggest Names
Germany and Scotland are the only European sides comfortable heading into matchday two.
Spain face Saudi Arabia on June 21. Belgium meet Iran the same day. Both are effectively must-win situations if either side wants to control their own destiny.
France, England, Portugal, and Croatia are yet to play — watching closely.
The first week of World Cup 2026 has confirmed what the expanded format was designed to produce: competitive group stages where reputation does not guarantee results and the gap between ranked 134th and ranked 6th has shrunk to the width of a single set-piece.
Spain coach De la Fuente's triple-win mandate looks more necessary now than it did in December.
Key Takeaways
- Of 6 European teams that played their World Cup 2026 openers, only Germany and Scotland won.
- Spain drew 0-0 with Cape Verde (FIFA ranking: 134th) on June 15.
- Belgium drew 1-1 with Egypt; Netherlands drew 2-2 with Japan; Czechia lost 2-1 to South Korea.
- The 48-team format means 8 third-place teams advance — reducing pressure on opponents and rewarding draws more than before.
- France, England, Portugal, and Croatia are yet to play their opening matches.
- Spain face Saudi Arabia on June 21; Belgium face Iran the same day.
Sources
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Culture & Entertainment Reporter
Marcus Webb writes about music, film, TV, and digital culture. He tracks the trends shaping entertainment and the creators driving them.
