Germany's Jonathan Tah, front , and Curaçao's Tahith Chong fight for the ball during the World Cup Group E soccer match between Germany and Curacao in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

ATLANTA — Lamine Yamal is in “ideal condition” to play in Spain’s World Cup opener against Cape Verde today, coach Luis de la Fuente said.

Yamal is not expected to start the game in Atlanta, but has been cleared to play in his return from a hamstring injury that forced the 18-year-old superstar to miss the final weeks of the season for Barcelona.

“We are following the indications of medical staff from Barcelona, his club, and also from the Spanish national team, with the fitness coaches. Everything says that Lamine Yamal is ready to play tomorrow,” de la Fuente said at a news conference. “We don’t know how much. It is a matter of how the game is evolving, the game situation, that gives you a hint of when he might jump on the pitch, but he is in ideal condition to play tomorrow.”

Yamal has established himself as arguably the brightest emerging talent in Europe.

Getting full fee

The Somali referee who was denied entry to the United States for the World Cup will still be paid his full tournament fee.

A person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press that Omar Artan will still be entitled to payment despite not officiating any games at the near six-week long event. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

They said the fee would be determined after the tournament concludes next month.

Germany rolls

HOUSTON — Germany’s seven-goal rout of Curacao in its World Cup opener on Sunday was the perfect outcome to overshadow a close first half and boost the team after consecutive group-stage exits for the four-time champions.

Kai Havertz scored two goals as Germany pulled away from World Cup first-timer Curacao and piled it on in a 7-1 win in group play. The smallest country to ever appear in the tournament hung tight at 1-1 until the 38th minute.

Draw in Texas

ARLINGTON, Texas — Daichi Kamada scored on a header off Koki Ogawa’s corner kick in the 88th minute, sending the Samurai Blue fans into a frenzy and giving Japan a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in their World Cup opener on Sunday.

While the Dutch extended their unbeaten streak to 17 games in group play, the orange-clad Oranje supporters were stunned by the late goal that left them at 21-2-11 in group play.

Ivory Coast wins

PHILADELPHIA — Amad Diallo scored in the 90th minute to lift Ivory Coast to a 1-0 victory over Ecuador in its first World Cup appearance in a dozen years on Sunday night.