Spain controlled the match from the opening whistle, moving the ball with patience and dictating the tempo through Rodri, Fabian Ruiz and Alex Baena. Peru struggled to create chances for most of the game, although they managed to find a late goal after a well-timed pass from Marcos Lopez set up Velez.

The friendly maintained a calm pace throughout the second half, with both teams making several substitutions and avoiding unnecessary risks. Despite easing off the intensity after the break, Spain remained in complete control and comfortably closed out a 3-1 victory over Peru.

That exact scenario will be the case for eight distinct pairs of siblings at the 2026 World Cup. The way of the modern soccer world means that four sets of brothers currently play for different squads and could go up against one another at some point during the grueling tournament, although none of them will do so during the initial group stage.

This is the list of brothers playing for different squads:

• Inaki Williams and Nico Williams, who play for Ghana and Spain, respectively
• Desire Doue and Guela Doue, who represent France and Ivory Coast, respectively
• John Souttar and Harry Souttar, playing for Scotland and Australia, respectively
• Derrick Luckassen and Brian Brobbey, who represent Ghana and Netherlands, respectively

A potential family reunion in the knockout rounds

If France and Ivory Coast both finish as the respective runners-up in Group I and Group E, there will be an immediate meeting of the Doue brothers in the round of 32. This particular scenario represents the most obvious and direct route to a sibling-on-sibling matchup during the high-stakes knockout stages of the competition.

Since 32 of the 48 participating squads successfully progress from the opening group stage, there are numerous mathematical possibilities for even more family showdowns later in the bracket. These potential matchups would undoubtedly add an extra layer of personal drama and intrigue to what are already incredibly high-stakes soccer clashes.

The brothers who represent a single nation

Among the brothers who are set to make history by representing a single country are Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber and his twin brother Quinten Timber. Quinten Timber currently plays as a talented midfielder for French club Marseille, and both siblings are proudly included in the Netherlands squad, though there are even more Dutch family connections to note.

Laros Duarte and his younger brother Deroy Duarte were both originally born in the Netherlands, but could potentially team up together in the midfield for Cape Verde. This family duo adds significant strength to the African squad, who is currently making its historic maiden World Cup appearance on the global stage.

The same situation goes for former Aston Villa right back Leandro Bacuna, who stands as Curacao’s most-capped player in history, and Juninho Bacuna, who previously played for Villa’s bitter rivals Birmingham City. The Bacuna brothers are also completely Dutch-born, but officially declared their international allegiance to Curacao several years ago.

How to watch Peru vs Spain in the USA

Fans will have several ways to follow this highly anticipated showdown. Coverage will air live on FS2, while streaming options include Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, and ViX.

No matter which platform they choose, viewers can watch every key sequence, game-changing swing, and thrilling conclusion unfold live from start to finish as the action plays out.

Can I watch Peru vs Spain for free?

Fans in the United States can catch this marquee showdown live through Fubo, DirecTV Stream, and Hulu + Live TV, each providing access to the network airing the match across the country.

First-time subscribers can also stream without paying upfront by using available free trial offers, including five days from Fubo and DirecTV Stream and a three-day trial from Hulu + Live TV.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

With the World Cup drawing closer, reigning European champions Spain continue to fine-tune their preparations as one of the tournament’s leading contenders.

Led by Barcelona star Lamine Yamal, La Roja are aiming to capture their second world title and first since their memorable triumph in South Africa in 2010.

Standing in their way is Peru, a CONMEBOL side in the midst of a rebuilding phase, making this clash a valuable opportunity to measure themselves against one of international soccer’s powerhouse nations.

Peru vs Spain: Predicted Lineups

Peru (4-2-3-1): Gallese – Lopez, Garces, Sonne, Barco – Noriega, Carrillo – Concha, Vélez, Cabrera – Vidales.

Spain (4-2-3-1): Joan Garcia – Grimaldo, Laporte, Martin, Porro – Bernal, Gavi – Baena, Olmo, Ferran Torres – Iglesias.

What time is the Peru vs Spain match?

The match kicks off today, June 8, at 10:00 PM (ET). For viewers in different regions of the United States, here are the local start times:

Eastern Time: 10:00 PM
Central Time: 9:00 AM
Mountain Time: 8:00 PM
Pacific Time: 7:00 PM

Through its FIFA simulator, the renowned gaming company correctly predicted the last four World Cup champions, and in this case, the last team standing was Lamine Yamal’s team.

Although this type of prediction sometimes might be wrong, the technology suggests that Messi would be denied the chance to win his second consecutive World Cup title in a row.

The latest EA Sports predictions

It’s absolutely wild how EA Sports has been nailing these type of predictions. Using a video game simulations, they’ve accurately called the last four World Cup champions right before the tournaments started.

The streak kicked off back in South Africa 2010 when they predicted Spain would lift the trophy, followed by Germany in Brazil 2014, and France in Russia 2018. To top it all off, they hit the jackpot again by predicting Argentina would take it all in Qatar 2022.

Argentina want to put the predictions aside

Lionel Messi and Argentina are heading into the 2026 World Cup group stage with a clear target on their backs as they face Algeria, Austria, and Jordan in Group J. The reigning champions will kick off their journey in Kansas City before heading to Dallas for the remaining two fixtures, looking to secure a smooth path into the knockout rounds.

For Messi, playing in his record-breaking sixth World Cup, this tournament is all about cementing an unparalleled legacy. Lionel Scaloni‘s squad is heavily favored to top the group, but the team knows that defending the crown and chasing Argentina’s fourth star will require absolute perfection as the rest of the world looks to dethrone La Albiceleste.

Could Spain and Argentina face each other?

Yes, they definitely can, but when it happens depends entirely on how they perform in their groups. Because of how FIFA structured the bracket to keep top-ranked teams apart early on, if both Argentina (Group J) and Spain (Group H) win their respective groups, they cannot face each other until the Final on July 19.

However, the path completely shifts if someone slips up: if Argentina finish as the runner-up in Group J and Spain win Group H, they would clash almost immediately in a massive Round of 32 showdown.

Though Yamal is widely projected to be the focal point of Spain‘s attack during the tournament, he will sit out the friendly against Iraq as a precautionary measure. The Barcelona winger is still working his way back to full fitness following an injury setback sustained during the final stretch of the club season.

Stepping into the starting XI in Yamal’s absence is veteran forward Borja Iglesias. He is set to anchor the frontline alongside Ferran Torres and Alex Baena, a versatile attacking duo that manager Luis de la Fuente is trusting to set the tone against a disciplined Iraq‘s defense.

While Yamal is pushing hard to anchor the lineup by the June 15 opener against Cape Verde, De la Fuente has remained tight-lipped regarding an exact return date, leaving fans and pundits eagerly monitoring the youngster’s day-to-day progress.

Spain’s confirmed lineup to face Iraq

Even without their prized winger, Spain are rolling out a formidable, star-studded lineup as De la Fuente looks to establish dominance early and fine-tune his tactical system before heading across the Atlantic. Here is La Roja’s confirmed starting XI:

• Goalkeeper: Joan Garcia
• Defenders: Pedro Porro, Aymeric Laporte, Jon Martin, Alex Grimaldo
• Midfielders: Marc Bernal, Gavi, Alex Baena
• Forwards: Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo, Borja Iglesias

Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 PM ET at the historic Estadio Municipal de Riazor in La Coruña, Spain. Be sure to follow all the action, tactical updates, and live reactions right here on our dedicated live-blog coverage at Bolavip US.

Ferran Torres opened the scoring for Spain in the first half, striking in the 15th minute after a well‑constructed move that finally broke Iraq’s resistance. But the visitors reacted quickly, with Merchas Doski leveling the match in the 27th minute by finishing off one of Iraq’s sharp attacking transitions. The equalizer shifted the rhythm, with Iraq growing in confidence while Spain tried to regain control.

In the closing stages, Spain pushed forward and dominated possession, but Iraq’s structure held firm. La Roja circulated the ball, looked for width, and tried to accelerate the tempo, yet the visitors closed every lane and denied Spain the clarity they needed to find a winner. The draw reflects Spain’s territorial dominance and Iraq’s resilience ahead of the World Cup.

How to watch Spain vs Iraq in the USA

Fans can watch this highly anticipated matchup live on either Fubo or ViX, with both streaming platforms carrying the action from start to finish.

Whether watching from home or on the go, both platforms will offer live coverage, ensuring fans don’t miss any part of this exciting contest.

Can I watch Spain vs Iraq for free?

Viewers in the United States will be able to catch this much-anticipated matchup live through Fubo, which provides access to the network airing the game across the country.

Fans who prefer to stream without committing right away can also take advantage of Fubo’s 5-day free trial, allowing them to watch the contest in real time without any initial payment.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

Spain enters this matchup as one of the leading contenders to lift the World Cup trophy, bringing a loaded squad headlined by rising superstar Lamine Yamal and carrying expectations of capturing a second world title.

The Spanish side views every tune-up as a key step in its preparation, making this a valuable test as the tournament approaches. For Iraq, the stakes are different but no less significant.

Back on the World Cup stage after earning its return to the global spotlight, Iraq will look to use this high-profile friendly against one of Europe’s elite nations as an opportunity to measure its progress, build confidence, and prove it can compete with the sport’s biggest powers.

Spain vs Iraq: Predicted Lineups

Spain (4-3-3): Raya; Porro, P. Torres, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Pedri, Ruiz; Olmo, Oyarzabal, N. Williams.

Iraq (4-2-3-1): Hassan; H. Ali, Natiq, Sulaka, Doski; Al-Ammari, Rashid; Bayesh, Jasim, Amyn; A. Hussein.

What time is the Spain vs Iraq match?

The match kicks off today, June 4, at 3:00 PM (ET). For viewers in different regions of the United States, here are the local start times:

Eastern Time: 3:00 PM
Central Time: 2:00 PM
Mountain Time: 1:00 PM
Pacific Time: 12:00 PM

From his second appearance in South Africa 2010 onwards, Messi fully took ownership of the iconic number 10 for Argentina. Who will wear that number for Spain? Barcelona player Dani Olmo.

Luis de la Fuente is hoping to have Lamine Yamal available as soon as possible for the tournament. The young talent is already a reality and will look to carve out his own legacy at the World Cup, distancing himself in some way from what the Argentine star has achieved, and beginning to forge his own path on soccer’s biggest stage.

Spain’s squad numbers for the World Cup

Lamine Yamal will wear number 19, David Raya the number 1, Rodri the number 16, and Gavi will take the number 9. These are Spain’s chosen squad numbers for the upcoming World Cup.

Another milestone set by Messi

When the 2026 World Cup kicks off, Lionel Messi will make history once again by becoming the first player ever to feature in six different editions of the tournament. While this historic milestone elevates his legendary status to unprecedented heights, Messi is set to share this record with Guillermo Ochoa and Cristiano Ronaldo as the only men to achieve this incredible longevity on the world stage.

Yamal’s World Cup debut

Spain will kick off their 2026 World Cup campaign in Group H, facing Cape Verde on June 15 and Saudi Arabia on June 21, both in Atlanta, before traveling to Guadalajara to play Uruguay on June 27. This tournament will mark the highly anticipated World Cup debut for young star Lamine Yamal.

Interestingly, a thrilling crossover could happen as early as the Round of 32; if Spain wins Group H and Lionel Messi’s Argentina finishes second in Group J, or vice versa, the two Barcelona icons would face each other in a massive, single-elimination knockout match.

Gavi participated in a dynamic organized by streamer Ibai Llanos, where he made his predictions for the 2026 World Cup. Among the questions were the potential champion, the top scorer of the tournament, the breakout player, and the surprise team. When the moment came to choose the surprise team, Gavi did not hesitate to mention Ecuador.

“As a surprise team, I am going to tell you Ecuador. They have good players,” Gavi argued to support his answer. And one of those questions was also for the best player of the tournament, where he chose Lamine Yamal without hesitation.

Gavi’s complete prediction

Gavi‘s answers are not far-fetched at all, as they are responses that an average soccer fan would give, and while the pick of Lamine Yamal certainly gives people plenty to talk about due to him being so young, he is undisputedly one of the best players in the world, accompanied by a great national team.

Gavi’s complete prediction list:

• Winner: Spain
• Runner-up: Portugal
• Surprise team: Ecuador
• Top scorer: Mikel Oyarzabal
• Breakout player: Joao Felix
• Best veteran player: Neymar Jr
• Best player: Lamine Yamal

The numbers in Gavi’s career

It is worth remembering that Gavi remains one of those young talents at 21-years-old. His talent quickly caught the attention of several major clubs in Spain, until he entered La Masia, the youth academy of FC Barcelona, in 2015. He debuted with the first team in 2021, when he was just 17 years old, and since then, he has established himself as an important piece for the Catalan squad.

With Barcelona, he records 166 matches, 10 goals, and 16 assists, and he has conquered important titles at the club level, which are: three LaLiga titles, three Spanish Super Cups, and one Copa del Rey.

With Spain, he has accumulated 28 matches with five goals, participating in the Qatar 2022 World Cup, where he did not have a standout performance, and the 2023 UEFA Nations League title.

De la Fuente spoke reassuringly of Yamal’s inclusion on his 26-man World Cup roster, predicting that the winger will be given the all-clear before their first game of the tournament. “First and foremost, caution. We need to give him the time he needs, especially now,” De la Fuente told reporters after his roster was revealed.

“I believe he’ll be ready for the first match, and we hope he can live up to expectations, but without putting undue pressure on him. He’s very mature.” Spain, among the tournament favorites, begin on June 15 against World Cup debutant Cabo Verde in Group H.

How does Yamal arrive at the World Cup?

A hamstring injury has hindered Lamine Yamal’s World Cup preparations. However, the Barcelona superstar is still expected to be fully fit for the start of the tournament, which remains the primary expectation.

Supporters of Spain were cursing Hansi Flick when Yamal succumbed after taking a penalty in Barca’s 1-0 victory over Celta Vigo on April 22. The winger has been used relentlessly by the German since breaking into the senior setup and emerging as one of the world’s best players.

Yamal has already lit up the big stage for La Roja, earning Young Player of the Tournament honors at Euro 2024, which Spain won handsomely. However, it’s at the World Cup where legacies of soccer’s best are forged, and Yamal is readying himself for his first experience of the tournament this summer.

Spain without Real Madrid players

No Real Madrid players were picked by De la Fuente. For the first time in World Cup history, Spain’s most decorated club will not be represented at all, as there may be a scarcity of Spanish players at Madrid.

There were just three Madrid players in the Euro 2024 squad, and two of those, Joselu and Nacho Fernandez, are currently plying their trade in the Middle East. The other, veteran Dani Carvajal, did not make De la Fuente’s 55-man provisional roster, given his limited number of minutes this season.

Dean Huijsen was the most likely to make it, but his form has been spotty for Madrid since joining last summer. Pau Cubarsi and Marc Pubill were preferred. The other Spanish options at Real Madrid are uninspiring.

Raul Asencio has never been capped, Alvaro Carreras had a mixed first season with the club, while Fran Garcia is not of the requisite level. Striker Gonzalo Garcia is at least attending the early stages of camp as a training player.

According to a report from The Athletic, Yamal is not expected to fully recover in time for Spain‘s first two group stage matches. The winger is on track to miss the June 15 opener against Cape Verde as well as the June 21 clash with Saudi Arabia, a lingering consequence of the injury issues that plagued his final stretch of the club season with Barcelona.

While previous optimism suggested Yamal could return in time for the group stage opener, The Athletic‘s report injects a heavy dose of uncertainty into Spain’s preparations. Manager Luis de la Fuente is leaning heavily on his young superstar to lead the country back to the global summit for the first time since South Africa 2010, making this delay a monumental setback.

This devastating update aligns with the initial concerns raised by Barcelona’s medical staff following his late-April injury. Now, all eyes turn to the medical tent to see what the realistic timeline will be for arguably the most vital catalyst in de la Fuente’s tactical setup.

Spain’s injury woes extend beyond Yamal

As if losing Yamal for the opening week wasn’t catastrophic enough, Spain were hit with another brutal injury blow regarding Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez. The Athletic also reports that Lopez has suffered a metatarsal fracture in his right foot that will require surgery.

The diagnosis likely rules Lopez out for the entirety of the World Cup. His absence deals a crippling blow to Spain’s squad depth, as he was slated to be a crucial depth piece capable of reshuffling the midfield and filling a creative void if a cornerstone like Pedri battles fatigue or injury during the tournament.

La Roja facing a pre-tournament injury crisis

The losses of Lopez and Yamal compound what is quickly becoming a full-blown injury crisis for Spain ahead of their trip to North America. The list of confirmed absentees for the 2026 World Cup already includes Samu Omorodion and Ander Barrenetxea, both of whom suffered season-ending injuries with their respective clubs.

With four key players sidelined or severely diminished, Spain must quickly navigate these roster vacancies and identify viable alternatives. If they hope to live up to their billing as tournament favorites and make a deep championship run, La Roja will need their depth to step up when it matters most.