Qualified: <\/strong>UEFA Group E winners<\/p>\n\n\n\nSpain arrive at the World Cup as the reigning European and Olympic champions. And, for the first time ever, their squad has no players from Real Madrid. Eight Barcelona players feature, with Lamine Yamal the pick of the litter. Spain\u2019s strength is arguably in midfield, with De la Fuente able to pick from the likes of Rodri, Gavi, Fabian Ruiz, Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Uruguay<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
FIFA Ranking: <\/strong>17 | Manager: <\/strong>Marcelo Bielsa | Qualified: <\/strong>CONMEBOL fourth place<\/p>\n\n\n\nUruguay arrive in something of a transitional period. For the first time in well over a decade, they will have neither Luis Suarez nor Edinson Cavani, as both have called time on their international careers. Now it\u2019s over to Darwin Nunez to lead the attack. Federico Valverde is Uruguay\u2019s standout player, performing well for Real Madrid this term. There remains some unrest with Bielsa, who has chosen to make some intriguing decisions of late. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Saudi Arabia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
FIFA Ranking: <\/strong>61 | Manager: <\/strong>Georgios Donis | Qualified: <\/strong>AFC fourth round Group B winners<\/p>\n\n\n\nAll the talk surrounding Saudi Arabia right now is the decision to replace Herv\u00e9 Renard with Georgios Donis just weeks ahead of the tournament. It\u2019s certainly a gamble when you consider they will meet two strong teams in Spain and Uruguay. The vast majority of the roster plays in the Saudi Pro League, including captain Salem Al-Dawsari, who scored the winner against Argentina during the Group Stage at the 2022 World Cup. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cape Verde<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
FIFA Ranking: <\/strong>69 | Manager: <\/strong>Bubista | Qualified: <\/strong>CAF Group D winners<\/p>\n\n\n\nCape Verde make their World Cup debut after seven previous attempts. They edged out Cameroon in qualifying, and their manager, Bubista, won the CAF Coach of the Year award in 2025. Captain Ryan Mendes is Cape Verde\u2019s all-time top scorer, with 39-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha serving as vice captain. Players like Dailon Livramento and Logan Costa impressed in qualifying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Players to watch in Group H<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The stars of the show in Group H will predominantly be from Spain and Uruguay, but Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde have talent they can call on too:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Lamine Yamal (Spain)\u00a0<\/strong>There\u2019s only one place to start, and that\u2019s with the soon-to-be 19-year-old superstar. The winger, who made history at Euro 2024 as the tournament\u2019s youngest-server player and scorer, can make magic happen at the top of the pitch. However he\u2019s likely to be limited early in the tournament following a hamstring injury in April.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- Federico Valverde (Uruguay) <\/strong>The 27-year-old has shone for Real Madrid this season, even though it\u2019s been a disappointing campaign for Los Blancos<\/em>. He can create and score goals, and in the absence of Suarez and Cavani, Uruguay will rely on him more than ever.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- Salem Al-Dawsari (Saudi Arabia) <\/strong>He scored one of the greatest World Cup goals of all time against Argentina at Qatar 2022. At 34, he remains the main man for the Green Falcons<\/em>, and if there\u2019s another upset on the cards, Al-Dawsari will be involved.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- Logan Costa (Cape Verde) <\/strong>On paper, the 25-year-old central defender is their best player. He currently plays in La Liga with Villareal, the only player on the roster contracted in one of Europe\u2019s top leagues. With Cape Verde likely to face a heavy attack, Costa\u2019s performances will be crucial.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- Rodri<\/strong> (Spain) <\/strong>\u2013 Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d\u2019Or winner, is one of the best central midfielders on the planet. He\u2019s won it all with Manchester City and will be crucial in providing balance to a very attacking Spain side. Question marks remain about his fitness after a stop-start season in the Premier League.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Young talents in Group H<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n- Pau Cubarsi, Spain<\/strong> The 19-year-old central defender for Barcelona will make his World Cup debut. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Victor Munoz<\/strong>, Spain<\/strong> A 22-year-old winger who will likely play a substitute role.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Walter Pina, Cape Verde<\/strong> A right back, who plays for Trabzonspor in Turkey will be looking to make his mark.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Group H qualification scenarios: Who goes through?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Spain look like a near-certainty to win Group H, and even the World Cup. There really shouldn\u2019t be a problem for Uruguay to finish second and also advance to the Round of 32. However, Saudi Arabia may look short on paper, but they did beat Argentina at Qatar 2022. Cape Verde will be happy to have a good showing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Potential Round of 32 matchups for Group H teams<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The winner of Group H will be in line to face the runner-up of Group J. The team that finishes second in Group H will play the winner of Group J. If the third-placed team from Group H qualifies for the next round, they will take on the winner of Group E, I or K in the knockouts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Group H schedule and games for the 2026 FIFA World Cup<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Group H games will run from June 15-26 across both Mexico and the United States. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Round 1 matches<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
June 15 \u2013 Spain vs. Cape Verde <\/strong>| Atlanta<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nIt\u2019s the opening game for Spain, and while they should breeze past Cape Verde, the pressure will be on for them to make a statement. The underdogs will try to hold out as long as possible. Spain to win is -1000, the draw is +850 and a Cape Verde shocker is +2500.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
June 15 \u2013 Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay <\/strong>| Miami<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThis is the group\u2019s most significant opening match. Uruguay is expected to win, but in 2022, Saudi Arabia proved their ability to upset a giant. Uruguay also lack the star power of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani. Another stunning Saudi Arabia win is +600, Uruguay to win is -225 and the draw is +350.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Round 2 matches<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
June 21 \u2013 Spain vs. Saudi Arabia <\/strong>| Atlanta<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nSpain should be in a good position to secure their passage into the knockouts by recording a victory over Saudi Arabia. Playing the two perceived weaker teams first is an advantage Spain doesn\u2019t want to squander. Spain to win is -800, a Saudi Arabia win is +2000 and the draw +750.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
June 21 \u2013 Uruguay vs. Cape Verde <\/strong>| Miami<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nUruguay, like Spain, should have far too much quality for Cape Verde. Marcelo Bielsa\u2019s side will be treating this as a must-win match, knowing they face Spain in the final round of games. Uruguay to win is -234, the draw is +350 and a Cape Verde victory is +650.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Round 3 matches<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
June 26 \u2013 Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia <\/strong>| Houston<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nJune 26 \u2013 Uruguay vs. Spain <\/strong>| Guadalajara<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nAll the important stuff \u2014 who will top the group and which team will finish second \u2014 should be decided by now. However, if that\u2019s not the case, it will be after Uruguay and Spain play. Third place will also be settled as Cape Verde face Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Past 5 matches for Group H teams<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Spain: <\/strong>Drew 1-1 with Iraq and 0-0 with Egypt and beat Serbia 3-0 (all friendlies). Drew with Turkey 2-2 and defeated Georgia 4-0 (World Cup qualifying).<\/p>\n\n\n\nUruguay: <\/strong>Drew 0-0 against Algeria and 1-1 against England, lost 5-1 to the U.S., drew 0-0 with Mexico and defeated Uzbekistan 2-1 (all friendlies).<\/p>\n\n\n\nSaudi Arabia: <\/strong>Defeated Puerto Rico 3-0, lost to Ecuador and Serbia 2-1, Egypt 4-0 and Algeria 2-0 (all friendlies).<\/p>\n\n\n\nCape Verde:<\/strong> Beat Serbia 3-0, drew 1-1 with Finland, lost 4-2 to Chile, drew 1-1 with Egypt and lost 5-4 on penalties to Iran (all friendlies).<\/p>\n\n\n\nGroup H head-to-head history<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Spain vs. Uruguay: Have met on 10 <\/strong>occasions with Spain winning five and the rest draws. Their last match was in the 2014 FIFA Confederations Cup, a 2-1 Spanish victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSpain vs. Saudi Arabia: <\/strong>Spain have won all three meetings between the two nations. They last played in a 2012 friendly, Spain won 5-0.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSpain vs. Cape Verde: <\/strong>Have never met.<\/p>\n\n\n\nUruguay vs. Saudi Arabia: <\/strong>Have met three times going 1-1-1. The most recent match was a 1-0 win for Uruguay at the 2018 World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\nUruguay vs. Cape Verde: <\/strong>Have never met.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSaudi Arabia vs. Cape Verde: <\/strong>Have never met.<\/p>\n\n\n\nGroup H thrillers: Matches we’ll never forget<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Saudi Arabia vs. Argentina, 2022 World Cup<\/strong> It\u2019s arguably the greatest upset ever seen at a World Cup. Argentina, the eventual tournament winners, lost 2-1 at the hands of the underdog Saudi Arabia. Salem Al-Dawsari curled in the winner.<\/p>\n\n\n\nUruguay vs. Ghana, 2010 World Cup<\/strong> The game where Luis Suarez infamously committed a handball on the goal line in extra time that ultimately denied Ghana a place in the semifinals. Asamoah Gyan missed the resulting penalty, with Uruguay going on to win 4-2 on penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\nQualification analysis: The “Best 3rd Place” factor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The expanded format of the 2026 World Cup means that the winners and runners-up in all groups will advance to the Round of 32 along with the eight best third-placed teams. It\u2019s unlikely third place will be enough in Group H, as Spain and Uruguay are so far ahead of the competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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