Group H · FIFA World Cup 2026
Group H — Spain's Euro 2024 winners face debutants Cape Verde
De la Fuente's Spain at their tactical peak. Bielsa's Uruguay return through controversy. Saudi Arabia under Renard.
Teams in Group H
Group H overview
Group H contains the most decorated World Cup nation in the group (Spain — 2010 champion) facing one of the smallest WC debutants ever (Cape Verde — 500,000 population). Luis de la Fuente's Spain arrive as Euro 2024 champions and outright price 7.5 — third favourites for the trophy. The squad: Lamine Yamal (17), Nico Williams, Pedri, Rodri, Dani Olmo, Alvaro Morata.
Cape Verde — the Blue Sharks — qualified for their first World Cup under Pedro 'Bubista' Brito after topping their CAF qualifying group ahead of Cameroon. The squad is built around Stopira, Ryan Mendes, Garry Rodrigues and Patrick Andrade.
Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay return after a controversial Copa América 2024 finish (where Bielsa publicly criticised the players). The squad has been refreshed: Federico Valverde (Real Madrid) at central midfield, Darwin Núñez (Liverpool) up top, and the next generation of Maximiliano Araújo, Manuel Ugarte and Brian Rodríguez.
Saudi Arabia under Hervé Renard — appointed for a second spell in late 2025 — at their seventh World Cup. The 2022 squad's famous 2-1 win over Argentina is the high-water mark of Saudi football.
Full match schedule
All six Group H fixtures with live odds from our three partner bookmakers — Mostbet, Fonbet, 1xBet. Click any match for the full preview, predicted lineups and value-bet picks.
Standings outlook & knockout path
Most likely winner: Spain (priced around 1.45). The most-talented squad in the group by clear margins.
Most likely runner-up: Uruguay. Even with Bielsa's drama, the talent depth (Valverde, Núñez, Araújo, Pellistri) is the strongest in the second tier.
Best longshot for second: Saudi Arabia. Renard's tactical preparation has historically delivered surprises against bigger sides.
Cape Verde bottom is the modal outcome — but the debutants are not making up the numbers, and the 'underdog points stolen' scenario against any of the top three is real.
Group H venues
| Fixture | Venue | City | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spain vs Cape Verde · 15 Jun | Lincoln Financial Field | Philadelphia | 67,594 |
| Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay · 15 Jun | Hard Rock Stadium | Miami Gardens | 65,326 |