Spain’s World Cup 2026 group is set. Between Shaquille O’Neal calling himself “David Blackham” and Gianni Infantino’s incessant glazing of Donald Trump, it is easy to forget there even was a draw. But the Spanish National Team now knows their opponents and the route they need to take to add the second star to their crest. Let’s take a look.
Spain World Cup 2026 Opponents
Luis de la Fuente’s team will face Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, and debutants Cabo Verde. Spain find themselves in Group H of the FIFA World Cup 2026, the same group letter they were in when they won the trophy in 2010. The group competition is not necessarily easy, nor is it exactly hard.
Uruguay
Unarguably Spain’s toughest challenge in the group stage will be Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay. The South American nation defeated both Brazil and Argentina in their World Cup qualifier games. They gained automatic qualification by finishing fourth in the CONMEBOL qualifiers, conceding only 12 goals and scoring 22 in 18 matches.
Despite that, Uruguay should still be a comfortable win for the reigning EURO 2024 Champions. Even with both Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid captains in their squad, it is highly unlikely Uruguay will pose enough threat. The team arrives with doubts and several problems with Bielsa, who is under intense scrutiny even if his position is secure.
With no Edinson Cavani or Luis Suarez to lead the line, they depend heavily on Darwin Nuñez. The former Liverpool striker is not exactly someone the team can reliably expect to be as decisive as his predecessors. Their midfield is decent and includes names like Rodrigo Bentancur, Nicolás de la Cruz and Federico Valverde in his natural role.
Saudi Arabia
Spain will also face the only team in the 2022 FIFA World Cup that beat Argentina, the eventual World Champions. Perhaps then, Spain will hope they lose to them too?
The Green Falcons qualified as fourth round winners in the AFC qualifiers. They will make their sixth World Cup appearance and their third consecutive one.
Perhaps their biggest advantage is that Frenchman Hervé Renard is back as their coach. Renard orchestrated the win against Argentina in 2022 but left the national team in 2023. After Roberto Mancini failed to deliver results, Saudi Arabia reinstated Renard who guided them to automatic qualification for this tournament.
The Saudi soccer boom in recent years has allowed many Saudi players to move abroad or learn from high-level foreign talent coming the other direction. In 2022 they already played well. In the FIFA World Cup 2026, they might give Spain a run for their money, but will likely not do enough to hand La Roja a defeat.
Cabo Verde
Playing in their first ever FIFA World Cup, Cabo Verde had an unforgettable run to the 2026 tournament. They finished above Cameroon in their qualifiers group with just one defeat in ten games.
Formerly a Portuguese colony, they have mined their significant diaspora (more Cabo Verdean’s live abroad than in the country) to scout players eligible for tiny island nation. Daikon Livramento (born in the Netherlands), Roberto Lopes (Ireland), David Costa (Portugal) and Steven Moreira (France) are just a few examples. The Blue Sharks probably will not dent Spain’s group stage campaign, but will defend as tightly as possible and hope an upset elsewhere helps their goal difference.
Spain World Cup 2026 Knockout Rounds
Spain should not struggle in the group stage. Their real challenges will begin in the knockouts. But even then, Spain can avoid the likes of Brazil, Argentina or Portugal until the final if they win their group.
They are most likely to face Group J’s Algeria or Austria in the Round of 32, assuming Spain win their group and Argentina win theirs. If Argentina finish second, it could set up a rematch of the 2026 Finalissima between the European and South American champions. Alternatively, if Spain do not win their group but Argentina do, the same matchup remains possible.
Beyond that, in the Round of 16, Spain will face either:
- England
- Croatia
- Colombia
- Portugal
None of these fixtures are easy. Nothing after this stage ever is. Belgium, France and Argentina might await in the successive rounds, but it is far too early to tell.
Is This The Year?
Spain will arrive in the United States as one of the clear favourites to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The reigning European Champions could also arrive with Finalissima bragging rights if they beat Argentina in March.
Spain will enter the tournament with a midfield built for control. Fabian Ruiz, Pedri and Rodri will be the “centrocampistas” orchestrating the suffering. Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams are guaranteed starters on the wings. The defence will likely be led by captain Dani Carvajal, fitness permitting.
Aside from their victorious 2010 campaign, Spain have never consistently impressed at World Cups. Penalties have been their kryptonite in the last two campaigns, and that is one area Luis de la Fuente will undoubtedly work on.
2026 offers a chance to see whether de la Fuente’s project can withstand the pressure of a full World Cup. If La Roja navigate their group convincingly, bury their ghosts and let the ball do the talking, the trophy might be heading to Spain for the 2nd time.
The world could very well be Roja again.
