Spain headline World Cup day 11 as Iran restrictions remain
Spain face Saudi Arabia in Atlanta, while Iran meet Belgium in Los Angeles under travel rules that have drawn a complaint threat.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
3 min read
Spain return to World Cup action on Sunday against Saudi Arabia after what Al Jazeera described as an uneven start for the reigning European champions. Iran’s meeting with Belgium also carries off-field significance, with Reuters reporting that travel limits on the Iranian squad remain in force.
Al Jazeera reported that four matches are scheduled for day 11 of the tournament in the United States and Canada. None of the eight teams playing Sunday can secure a place in the next round or be knocked out by the end of the day, according to the report.
Sunday schedule
- Spain vs Saudi Arabia, Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, noon EDT (16:00 GMT)
- Belgium vs Iran, Los Angeles Stadium, 3pm EDT (19:00 GMT)
- Uruguay vs Cape Verde, Miami Stadium, 6pm EDT (22:00 GMT)
- New Zealand vs Egypt, BC Place Vancouver, 9pm EDT (01:00 GMT Monday)
Opta predictions
Stats provider Opta gives Spain an 86.7 percent chance of beating Saudi Arabia. Opta’s model puts Saudi Arabia’s win probability at 4.3 percent and the draw at 9 percent.
Belgium are favored against Iran, with Opta giving them a 67.5 percent chance of victory. Iran are listed at 13.2 percent, while the draw is rated at 19.3 percent.
Opta also makes Uruguay the favorite against Cape Verde at 67.2 percent, compared with 12.2 percent for Cape Verde and 20.6 percent for a draw. Egypt are given a 59.6 percent chance against New Zealand, whose probability is 17.7 percent, with the draw at 22.6 percent.
Iran travel rules stay in place
Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House Task Force for the tournament, told Reuters that the United States would keep assessing Iran’s travel arrangements, but the current plan remains unchanged for now. Al Jazeera reported that Iran have said they would file a complaint with FIFA over the restrictions.
Under the rules described by Al Jazeera, Iran can travel to match venues in the United States only within 24 hours of kickoff and must return directly afterward to their training base in Tijuana, Mexico. Coach Amir Ghalenoei said the restrictions had made Iran “the most oppressed team in the whole World Cup.”
Giuliani told Reuters that the situation remains fluid and that officials would discuss measures for Iran’s third group match against Egypt in Seattle on June 26 after Sunday’s game against Belgium in Los Angeles. Al Jazeera reported that Iran began the tournament after months of uncertainty over their participation amid the US-Israel war on Iran.
Other World Cup developments
France supporters were warned by the official supporters’ group Irresistibles Francais not to dress Philadelphia’s Rocky Balboa statue in French colors before Monday’s match against Iraq. The group cited a local superstition that visiting teams suffer bad luck after their fans place team gear on the statue.
Reuters reported that Belgium winger Jeremy Doku could face a family decision if Belgium advance deep into the tournament. Doku told reporters his wife Shireen is due to give birth in the second week of July, during the quarterfinal stage, and said he wants to be present for the birth of his first child.
Germany have qualified for the round of 32 after beating Ivory Coast 2-1 on Saturday, Al Jazeera reported. Denis Undav scored twice, including a stoppage-time winner, after Germany had opened with a 7-1 victory over Curacao.
Al Jazeera also reported that Curacao earned their first World Cup point with a 0-0 draw against Ecuador, helped by 15 saves from goalkeeper Eloy Room. Japan beat Tunisia 4-0 on Saturday, making Tunisia the third team eliminated after Haiti and Turkiye, according to Al Jazeera.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.