Arsenal
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Group H Preview
Group H is probably the most easy group to foretell on paper and probably some of the entertaining in follow.
Spain arrive as European champions and among the many favourites to win the event. Uruguay carry some of the revered coaches in world soccer and a squad constructed to make the latter levels.
Saudi Arabia, underneath a brand new supervisor appointed simply seven weeks earlier than kick-off, carry the reminiscence of beautiful Argentina in Qatar. And Cape Verde make their World Cup debut with perception earned from a outstanding qualification marketing campaign.
World Cup Group H fixtures and the place to observe
Right here, we check out the groups intimately.
Spain: 2026 World Cup preview, star participant, prediction
Coach: Luis de la Fuente Qualification: UEFA Group E winnersBest World Cup: Winners (2010)
Spain arrive in North America as some of the feared attacking sides on the event and the staff most outfitted to go all the way in which.
Luis de la Fuente guided La Roja to the European Championship title in Germany in 2024, and the squad he has assembled for North America is arguably stronger.
Barcelona dominate the group, with Pedri, Gavi, Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, Joan Garcia and Dani Olmo all touring alongside Lamine Yamal.
The choice to not choose a Actual Madrid participant is an historic first, and De la Fuente made no apology for it, insisting he had picked one of the best gamers obtainable no matter their membership.
The health image heading into the event is one to control. Yamal is recovering from a hamstring harm and missed the top of Barcelona’s season.
Nico Williams and Mikel Merino had been additionally carrying knocks on the time of the squad announcement. De la Fuente is assured that each one three can be prepared for the Cape Verde opener, but in addition made it clear he wouldn’t rush them if there was any threat.
Spain star participant: Lamine Yamal’s second has arrived
De la Fuente has claimed that that is Yamal’s World Cup.
The 18-year-old Barcelona ahead is probably the most gifted younger participant within the event and the point of interest of every part Spain do going ahead.
When he’s absolutely match and free to precise himself, he’s merely unplayable. A World Cup viewers awaits the participant who has already gained a European Championship and two La Liga titles. Whether or not his hamstring holds up will decide Spain’s success this summer season.
Prediction: Spain to win the group with ease
The depth and high quality make Spain probably the most full facet in Group H. The query isn’t whether or not they qualify, however how they set themselves up for the knockout rounds.
Uruguay: 2026 World Cup preview, star participant, prediction
Coach: Marcelo Bielsa Qualification: CONMEBOL qualifiers Greatest World Cup: Winners (1930, 1950)
Uruguay are real darkish horses for the event.
Marcelo Bielsa enters his first World Cup as Uruguay supervisor after overseeing a qualification marketing campaign that restored perception round La Celeste together with his facet beating each Brazil and Argentina, ending lengthy winless streaks towards their two largest rivals.
The squad announcement contained two main tales heading into the event. Fernando Muslera, at 39 years outdated, got here out of worldwide retirement to journey to his fifth World Cup, setting a Uruguayan file.
His presence between the posts offers Bielsa a goalkeeper with a stage of expertise few others within the competitors can match. The opposite headline was the omission of Luis Suarez. The legendary striker, additionally 39 and nonetheless energetic in MLS, was not noted fully regardless of indicating he was prepared to come back out of worldwide retirement.
The backbone of the squad is constructed on elite membership gamers. Ronald Araujo anchors the defence at Barcelona, Jose Maria Gimenez alongside him from Atletico Madrid.
Federico Valverde and Manuel Ugarte type a midfield axis that will complement any facet on this event.
Rodrigo Bentancur provides additional high quality and expertise. Darwin Nunez, now at Al Hilal after three years at Liverpool, leads the assault alongside Giorgian De Arrascaeta and a supporting solid of vast runners.
The priority is targets. Uruguay have traditionally been troublesome to beat fairly than free-scoring, and with no prolific striker at his peak, Bielsa should discover methods to fabricate probabilities from a midfield-heavy system.
Uruguay star participant: Federico Valverde is the engine
Valverde is Uruguay’s most essential participant.
The Actual Madrid midfielder affords every part Bielsa calls for: relentless power, defensive work fee, technical high quality and one eye on aim from deep.
He covers a lot floor, breaks up play and arrives late into harmful areas. When Valverde is at his finest, Uruguay are a difficult opponent.
Prediction: Uruguay to qualify in second place
The organisational high quality, midfield depth and event expertise underneath Bielsa make Uruguay the more than likely staff to affix Spain within the knockout rounds.
The ultimate group sport in Guadalajara can be one to observe no matter the place the standings sit.
Saudi Arabia: 2026 World Cup preview, star participant, prediction
Coach: Georgios Donis Qualification: AFC qualifiers Greatest World Cup: Spherical of 16 (1994)
Saudi Arabia arrive at their seventh World Cup carrying the reminiscence of one of many largest upsets in event historical past and a query mark over whether or not the chaos of the previous two months could be overcome in time.
Herve Renard was sacked in April following back-to-back pleasant defeats, leaving the Saudi Soccer Federation to nominate Georgios Donis with simply seven weeks till the event begins.
The 56-year-old Greek coach, who has earlier expertise managing within the Saudi Professional League, has named a 26-man squad constructed nearly fully on home expertise.
Twenty-five of the 26 gamers ply their commerce within the Professional League. The exception is right-back Saud Abdulhamid, who performs for Lens in Ligue 1 and supplies Saudi Arabia with a uncommon connection to European soccer’s prime stage.
The squad is led by captain Salem Al-Dawsari, the Al-Hilal winger with 108 caps who was named 2025 AFC Participant of the Yr. Firas Al-Buraikan leads the ahead line and was the standout goalscorer all through the qualification marketing campaign. Mohamed Kanno supplies management in midfield.
Saudi Arabia famously defeated Argentina in Qatar. They don’t seem to be right here to make up the numbers and won’t be taken calmly by anybody on this group.
Saudi Arabia star participant: Salem Al-Dawsari carries the burden
Al-Dawsari is the point of interest of every part Saudi Arabia do going ahead.
The captain brings expertise, management and real high quality in one-on-one conditions. At 34, that is nearly actually his remaining World Cup, and he can be motivated to depart a long-lasting impression.
Prediction: Saudi Arabia to push Cape Verde for third
The opening sport towards Uruguay is the most important check. If Saudi Arabia can take one thing from that match, the ultimate group sport towards Cape Verde turns into large.
Cape Verde: 2026 World Cup preview, star participant, prediction
Coach: Pedro Brito da Rocha Qualification: CAF qualifiers Greatest World Cup: First look
Cape Verde’s place at this World Cup is likely one of the most deserved and some of the outstanding within the event.
The Blue Sharks got here by way of CAF qualifying with out dropping a match, profitable eight and drawing two, holding clear sheets all through. They backed that efficiency up with an announcement warm-up end result simply days earlier than the event, defeating Serbia 3-0 in Lisbon.
Kevin Pina, Laros Duarte and Gilson Benchimol all scored. For a nation making its World Cup debut, the boldness within the squad can be sky-high.
Pedro Brito da Rocha has constructed a facet that is aware of precisely what it’s. Cape Verde are organised, aggressive with out the ball and troublesome to play by way of in central areas.
The squad comprises skilled professionals from throughout European soccer. Ryan Mendes, Kenny Rocha Santos and the Tavares household are well-known names in Portuguese soccer.
The problem could be very clear. Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia signify a major step up in high quality from something confronted in African qualification. A single level from this group would signify an historic achievement. Three or 4 could be extraordinary.
Cape Verde star participant: Laros Duarte supplies the spark
Duarte got here off the bench to attain towards Serbia and affords Cape Verde one thing unpredictable within the remaining third.
The Puskás Akadémia midfielder has the motion and the ending intuition to trigger issues in tight areas, and his means to alter a sport from the bench offers Cape Verde an choice that would show very important in shut matches.
Prediction: A debut to recollect for Cape Verde
Taking factors from Saudi Arabia is a practical goal and would signify one of many tales of the group stage. Spain and Uruguay are prone to be past them, however Cape Verde have earned the correct to dream.
