World Cup 2026: Group H Preview

Continuing with the World Cup 2026 Previews, here is a look into Group H. Group H includes Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay.

North America 2026: Group H Preview

Group H features an interesting mix. There is a European powerhouse, a South American giant looking to return to its former world-class pedestal, a hopeful Middle Eastern future giant, and an African country making its tournament debut. 

The FIFA World Cup is displayed during the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola at Nathan Phillips Square.

Kevin Sousa

Spain

The EURO 2024 winners come into the World Cup looking to win the tournament for the second time in Spanish history. The only country ranked higher than Spain in the FIFA World Ranking is France. 

Spain won UEFA Group E to secure their spot in the World Cup and come into the tournament looking for nothing but a place in the final. Head coach Luis de la Fuente is still on the sidelines with Spain, and it only makes sense, considering he led them to European glory just two summers ago.

Spain has loads of young talents, gamebreakers, veterans, and world-class players. But out of everyone, nobody grabs the spotlight more than FC Barcelona's Lamine Yamal. 

Just being 18 years old, Yamal is already one of the most exciting players in world football. He finished second in Ballon d'Or voting in 2025, behind winner Ousmane Dembélé. Yamal has been out with a thigh injury since April 21, but is on the right path to be ready for the World Cup.

Spain's attack will primarily go through Yamal. He can decide matches on his own, just like he did in the Euro. He's already an elite dribbler who thrives in tight spaces. He can score from outside the box, making him a threat anywhere on the pitch. 

Spain's midfield is also stacked. Led by Rodri and Pedri, these two conduct play and are the foundation of the midfield.

Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner, gives the squad balance. He's an all-around midfield dynamo who can attack and defend. When Spain is fully rolling, it's because Rodri is in control.

Now there's Pedri. A possession machine who never looks gassed, he is constantly moving his feet and moving the ball around. He dictates the tempo and is composed in all situations. He plays years above his age (23) and has been since he emerged onto the scene with Barcelona.

Outlook

It's really final-or-bust for Spain. They have the most well-rounded team in the group, and it's not particularly close. There shouldn't be any reason that they don't top the group.

Portugal's Nuno Mendes scores their first goal.

Michaela Stache

Uruguay 

Uruguay is a tricky team to evaluate this time around. On paper, they have the talent to make a run to the quarterfinals or deeper. They have strong players all around the pitch, but the question remains whether they can rise to the occasion. Back in 2022, they finished 3rd in their group. It was the first time they failed to advance past the group stage since 2002. The current squad doesn't feature a bona fide superstar like the one we had when Luis Suárez and Edinson Cavani were around, but it's well-rounded. 

The most important player for Uruguay is Federico Valverde. The Real Madrid star is a complete, well-rounded midfielder. He's the engine of the team, just like for Madrid. He covers loads of ground and is constantly on the move. 

Valverde can play as a standard holding midfielder, a box-to-box midfielder, and an attacker. He can even transition as a winger or a right-back if needed, making him a threat everywhere. His defensive work rate is off the charts, allowing him to impact every phase of the game.  He wins tackles, leads counterattacks, and can score from range. If Uruguay makes a push, he'll be at the forefront.

On attack, expect Darwin Núñez to be the main option. Núńez is an interesting player, though. He looks unstoppable at times, then looks out of his depth at others. He's a big striker with aerial ability and physicality, but he needs to put everything together. 

It was evident during his stint with Liverpool. He could carry the team to a win, but then would miss wide-open goals. Being able to dial in the finishing will be massive. 

On defense, Ronald Araújo is the main force. With Barcelona, he's given the toughest matchups. Don't expect that to change here. His size, speed, and physical dominance make him a tough matchup for most attackers. Expect him to hover around Spain's pacey attackers during their group match. 

Outlook

Uruguay's biggest enemy will be itself. Finishing 2nd in this group is the most realistic option; Spain is just that good. The floor is a Round of 32 exit, with the ceiling being a semifinal appearance. If Uruguay can put all the pieces together and everyone plays to their full capabilities, this can be a scary team. 

Uruguay forward Darwin Nunez (19) runs the ball against Brazil defender Guilherme Arana (16) during the first half at Allegiant Stadium.

Lucas Peltier

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is the wild card in Group H, but that's nothing new for them. In 2022, they provided one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history with a 2-1 win in their first match! Granted, they ended up coming last in Group C, but still. They took down the eventual champions. 

The key for Saudi Arabia to make this group interesting is to remain disciplined and dangerous on the counter. They won't be dominating possession against Spain and Uruguay, but they will have good chemistry since most of the squad plays in the Saudi Pro League.

The most important player on the squad is still Salem Al-Dawsari. He is suiting up for his third World Cup and has 25 goals in 107 matches while playing for his country. He also has 109 goals in 292 matches for his club, Al Hilal, in the Saudi Pro League. 

His leadership within the squad is also undeniable. They all depend on him more than anyone else. If he's being neutralized by the opposition, it'll be tough to gain any momentum. 

Outlook

The ceiling for Saudi Arabia is making the Round of 32. The most likely result is them finishing in 3rd in the group. It won't be easy, but that's why they need to focus the most on staying organized. Spain and Uruguay will take advantage of the smallest mistakes made. 

Saudi Arabia forward Abdulrahman Alobud (24), Haiti forward Duckens Nazon (9) and defender Saud Abdulhamid (12) battle for control of the ball during the second half of a group stage match of the 2025 Gold Cup at Snapdragon Stadium.

Denis Poroy

Cape Verde

Welcome to World Cup 2026, Cape Verde! A tiny nation off the West Coast, with a population of approximately 530,000, will be playing in its first World Cup. The country finished at the top of Group D in the CAF qualifiers. 

This team looks weak on paper, but they play with heart. They made the quarterfinals of AFCON 2023. They topped Group B ahead of Egypt and Ghana, defeated Mauritania in the Round of 16, and were knocked out by South Africa. They are a small nation with big beliefs.

Cape Verde has a unique set of players who developed in Europe, giving them a distinct identity in European and African football. Their style of play is probably the most straightforward of all teams in Group H. They like to stay compact on defense, defend aggressively, counterattack quickly, and use pace on the wings. Simple.

The main player to watch on this squad is Ryan Mendes, the face of Cape Verdean football. He's the all-time leader in appearances and goals for the country with 20 goals in 60 matches. He currently plays for Igfir FK in 1. Lig in Turkey. He's also 36-years-old, making him the veteran and leader. 

Mendes is no longer the fast winger he once was, but his presence is enough to give this squad the juice it needs in its first World Cup. Every potential Cinderella story needs its leader and storyline, and that's Mendes.

The best overall footballer in the squad is Logan Costa of Villarreal in La Liga. The 6'2" defender is the only player on the roster who plays in one of the top five leagues in the world. His athleticism, ball-playing ability, and physical presence might make him one of the best players the country has ever produced. 

There's a former Philadelphia Union player in here, Jamior Monterio! Monterio played for the Union from 2020-2022, scoring eight goals in 60 appearances. He's currently playing for PEC Zwolle in the Eredivisie. He also has five goals in 41 appearances for his country.

Monteriro is a stable central midfielder who performs well under pressure and relieves pressure on the defense. His vision and creativity in midfield allow him to create key scoring chances for the forwards. 

Outlook

Cape Verde comes into the tournament with nothing to lose. Nobody expects anything from them, which gives them freedom. Playing with freedom can be a powerful thing in the group stage. 

Seeing small nations play in the World Cup for the first time really makes my eyes water because it means so much to the people of those countries. I know the first goal they score is going to be electric for the fans that will travel, and even for the viewers back in Cape Verde.  It's going to be fun watching these guys on the world stage, and I really hope they pull off a shocker. 

Cape Verde's Benchimol celebrates scoring their third goal.

Rodrigo Antunes

Matchday 1: 

Matchday 2: 

Matchday 3: 

For more reading on the World Cup, check out our other previews:

Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D

Group E | Group F | Group G | Group H

Group I | Group J | Group K | Group L