National teams prepare with friendlies ahead of World Cup in June

Yahoo Sports1 min read • Latest: Jun 2, 2026, 1:37 PM

Last updated Jun 2, 2026

National teams prepare with friendlies ahead of World Cup in June
Summary

With just nine days until the start of the 2026 World Cup, several national teams are engaged in final preparations through friendly matches. Key fixtures for this week include Croatia vs Belgium on Tuesday and Spain vs Iraq on Thursday. These matches are part of a busy schedule leading up to the tournament, providing teams with vital opportunities to assess their players and strategies. After this week, the World Cup kicks off on June 11, motivating teams to solidify their lineups.

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By the Numbers
  • Croatia plays Belgium on June 2 at 6pm.
  • Spain faces Iraq on June 4 at 9pm.
  • The World Cup begins on June 11.
  • Friendlies include matchups like USA vs Germany and England vs New Zealand.
Latest Updates
  • 1:37 PMYahoo SportsFriendlies: the packed schedule before the World Cup 🔥
What they're saying
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Feels like the World Cup is in the air.Just 9 days to go before the start of the 2026 World Cup! This week, the national teams are entering the final stretch of their preparations. These last few da...

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