2026 World Cup Group H preview, predictions with heavyweights Spain, Uruguay

Victoria Hernandez, USA TODAYSun, June 7, 2026 at 2:07 PM UTC

0

If you want to see a winner, you'll want to watch Group H of the 2026 World Cup.

Spain, who is the favorite to win the tournament, is in Group H along with Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.

Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal will be making his World Cup debut. He already helped Spain win the European Championship in 2024 a day after his 17th birthday. Now, he, Pedri and Ballon d'Or winner Rodri will try to give Spain their second men's title.

Cape Verde is playing in its first World Cup, led by a manager who helped build the national team from the ground up and will try to prove that they are competitive.

Saudi Arabia will be playing with some positive momentum after upsetting Argentina in the 2022 World Cup. The Saudi Pro League has attracted the top talent in the world and now it's the Green Falcons' turn to make their own statement.

Uruguay rounds out the group writing a new chapter of a rich history. The South American side will now be led by Federico Valverde with the retirement of Luis Suárez, La Celeste's leading scorer. They will be hoping to rebound from a disappointing 2022 tournament.

The top two teams from each group automatically advance to the Round of 32 in the expanded field of 48 teams.

Here is USA TODAY's Group H World Cup preview:

World Cup Group H teamsSpain

Spain is the favorite to win the 2026 World Cup, 16 years after they won the 2010 tournament. They have something to prove after falling in the Round of 16 in the 2022 edition. The world awaits the World Cup debut of Lamine Yamal. The 18-year-old Barcelona star is recovering from a hamstring injury, but hopes are high that he'll be ready for the opening match. La Roja has plenty of firepower elsewhere. Yamal's Barcelona teammate, Pedri, will be playing in his second World Cup and 2024 Ballon d'Or winner Rodri will be holding down the midfield.

Key players: Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Rodri

Advertisement

Cape Verde

This is Cape Verde's first World Cup. The African nation is led by manager Pedro Leitao Brito aka Bubista, who was a player that helped put the Cape Verde national team on the map and also spent time on club teams in Spain and Portugal. The country is fairly young. It gained its independence in 1975 and established a national team three years later. The Blue Sharks were undefeated at home in their journey to qualify for the tournament. Ryan Mendes is the country's leading scorer with 22 goals in his national team career.

Key players: Ryan Mendes, Dailon Livramento, Vozinha

Saudi Arabia

The 2026 World Cup is a full-circle moment for Saudi Arabia because they made their debut at the tournament in the United States back in 1994. Now, they return to the States to try to repeat their success of making it out of the group stage. The Green Falcons have become a consistent presence at the World Cup and have only missed the 2010 competition since their first appearance. They are led by manager Georgios Donis, who just joined the side in April, but has been coaching in the Saudi Pro League for several years. Salem Al Dawsari, who plays on Al Hilal with Karim Benzema, and three players from Al Ahli, who won back-to-back AFC Championships, will be powering the team on the pitch. Saudi Arabia shocked the world in the 2022 World Cup when they beat Lionel Messi and Argentina in the group stage, putting La Albiceleste against the ropes, if only temporarily.

Key players: Salem Al Dawsari, Saud Abdulhamid, Ali Majrashi, Ziyad Al Johani, Firas Al Buraikan

Uruguay

It's a new dawn for Uruguay. The South American side will now be led by Federico Valverde with the retirements of Edinson Cavani and Luis Suárez, La Celeste's leading scorer. Valverde was the captain for Real Madrid this year where he had eight assists and the club finished second in La Liga to rival Barcelona. Uruguay will be led by revered manager Marcelo Bielsa, who is coaching his third World Cup with his third different country. He will seek to uphold a legacy for Uruguay that includes two World Cup titles back in 1930 and 1950. Uruguay failed to advance out of the group stage in 2022, but have been consistent contenders, making every tournament since 2010.

Key players: Federico Valverde, Rodrigo Bentancur, José María Giménez, Fernando Muslera

World Cup Group H schedule

June 15

Spain vs. Cape Verde - Atlanta, 12 p.m. ET - FOX

Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay - Miami, 6 p.m. ET - FS1

June 21

Spain vs. Saudi Arabia - Atlanta, 12 p.m. ET - FOX

Uruguay vs. Cape Verde - Miami, 6 p.m. ET - FS1

June 26

Uruguay vs. Spain - Guadalajara, 8 p.m. ET - FOX

Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia - Houston, 8 p.m. ET - FS1

World Cup Group H prediction

Predicted order of finish:

Spain

Uruguay

Saudi Arabia

Cape Verde

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 World Cup Group H preview, predictions with Spain, Uruguay

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Sports”