Spain already knows the path it will have to follow in the first phase of the 2026 World Cup. Luis de la Fuente’s team was placed in
Spain, forced to lead a varied group
As top seeds, Spain will have the responsibility of winning in a group where there are no easy opponents: Spain will be joined by Uruguay, Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde, teams with very different profiles but capable of creating challenges on every matchday.
La Roja arrives at 2026 with a renewed and settled squad, which combines established figures with the new crop of players that have emerged in recent years. Their biggest challenge in this phase will be to adapt quickly to the tactical diversity of their opponents: from the intensity of South America to the defensive discipline of the Asians and the competitive enthusiasm of the African debutants.
The main objective is to advance as first in the group in order to avoid complicated crossings in the round of 16, given the new format, which has been expanded to 48 teams.
Uruguay, the toughest rival in the zone
Uruguay’ s presence makes Group H one of the most attractive groups in the first phase: La Celeste, a historic South American power, combines leadership and a fierce competitiveness that usually rises to the top in major tournaments. Although undergoing a process of generational replacement, they maintain a core of players with international experience and a style of intense pressure that will demand maximum precision from Spain.
Uruguay’s recent track record in World Cups and its tactical strength position it as the main contender for direct qualification.
Saudi Arabia, an unpredictable team capable of surprise
The third member of the group is Saudi Arabia, a team that already proved at Qatar 2022 that they can make anyone uncomfortable after their memorable victory against the champion Argentina. Their approach combines defensive order, speed on the flanks and a competitive physique that forces them to stay focused for 90 minutes.
Spain will have to avoid relaxing against an opponent that tends to thrive in high-pressure scenarios and that, in this type of tournaments, bets on games with controlled pace where a detail can define the scoreboard.
Cape Verde, the big newcomer in Group H
The fourth member of the group is Cape Verde, a growing team that will live its first World Cup experience: although it does not have big names, the physical pace that can generate difficulties to more technical teams. For the Cape Verdeans, their presence is already a great achievement, but the ambition to compete without complexes makes them an opponent not to be underestimated.
Spain will have the responsibility to manage these matches with no room for surprises, especially against less common opponents in the international elite.
