FIFA World Cup 2026 · Final Draw
GROUP H
5 December 2025 · Kennedy Center, Washington D.C.
Spain
Pot 1 · #2
Uruguay
Pot 2 · #17
Saudi Arabia
Pot 3 · #61
Cape Verde
Pot 4 · #69
THE TOP-HEAVY GROUP
Group H.
The top-heavy group.
On the fifth of December twenty twenty-five, at the Kennedy Center in Washington D C, the balls came out.
Spain.
Uruguay.
Saudi Arabia.
And Cape Verde.
Four teams.
Four confederations.
The widest rank spread of any group at this World Cup.
Group H · By the Numbers
Four teams. 67 places between top and bottom.
Spain
FIFA #2
De la Fuente · €920M squad
Uruguay
FIFA #17
Bielsa · 2× world champs
Saudi Arabia
FIFA #61
Donis · 60 days in
Cape Verde
FIFA #69
Bubista · WC debut
Here they are by the numbers.
Spain.
FIFA ranked number two.
The highest ranked team in the entire tournament.
Luis de la Fuente in charge.
Squad value around nine hundred and twenty million euros.
Uruguay.
Ranked seventeenth.
Marcelo Bielsa on the touchline.
Two-time world champions.
Saudi Arabia.
Ranked sixty-first.
Georgios Donis appointed just sixty days before kick-off.
And Cape Verde.
Ranked sixty-ninth.
Pedro Leitão Brito, known as Bubista.
World Cup debutants.
The smallest nation by land area ever to qualify.
Group H · The Favourites
Spain
FIFA #2
Group H · The Favourites
SPAIN
Highest-ranked team in the entire tournament. De la Fuente in charge since December 2022, contract extended through Euro 2028. Third most valuable squad at the World Cup. Champions of Europe with 7 straight wins — the first team ever to win the Euros without dropping a point.
€920M
Squad Value
EURO 2024
7 wins · 0 dropped
WC 2010
Champions
Head Coach
Luis de la Fuente
⚠ R16 exits 2018 + 2022 · compact defensive teams have hurt Spain before
Let's start at the top.
Spain.
FIFA ranked number two.
The highest ranked team at this World Cup.
Luis de la Fuente in charge since December twenty twenty-two.
Contract extended through Euro twenty twenty-eight.
Squad value around nine hundred and twenty million euros.
Third most valuable squad at the tournament.
Champions of Europe.
Seven straight wins at Euro twenty twenty-four.
The first team ever to win the Euros without dropping a point.
World champions in twenty ten.
The strength is the depth.
The weakness is familiar.
Round of Sixteen exits in twenty eighteen and twenty twenty-two.
Compact defensive teams have hurt them before.
SPAIN · STAR PLAYERS
The 4 Spanish players to watch
1/4
SPAIN · RIGHT WING
Lamine Yamal
18
Age
Barcelona
Club
25
Caps
6
Goals
★ Youngest player to score in European Championship history. Won the Kopa Trophy in 2024 and 2025 — the first player to win it twice. Runner-up for the 2025 Ballon d'Or at 18. 45 appearances and 24 goals across all competitions this season.
Lamine Yamal.
The right winger.
Eighteen years old.
Turns nineteen during the tournament.
F C Barcelona.
Twenty-five caps, six goals.
The youngest player to score in European Championship history.
Won the Kopa Trophy in twenty twenty-four and twenty twenty-five.
The first player to win it twice.
Runner-up for the twenty twenty-five Ballon d'Or at eighteen.
Forty-five appearances and twenty-four goals across all competitions this season.
SPAIN · CENTRAL MIDFIELDER
Pedri
23
Age
Barcelona
Club
40
Caps
5
Goals
★ Won the Golden Boy Award in 2021. Euro 2024 winner. Barcelona's youngest player to make 150 La Liga appearances — surpassing Messi's record. Press-resistant. Elite vision. Impossible to dispossess.
Pedri.
The central midfielder.
Twenty-three years old.
F C Barcelona.
Forty caps, five goals.
Won the Golden Boy Award in twenty twenty-one.
Euro twenty twenty-four winner.
Barcelona's youngest player to make one hundred and fifty La Liga appearances.
He surpassed Messi's record.
Press-resistant.
Elite vision.
Impossible to dispossess.
SPAIN · DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER
Rodri
29
Age
Man City
Club
61
Caps
4
Goals
★ 2024 Ballon d'Or winner — first Man City player ever to win it. Tore his ACL against Arsenal in September 2024. Returned in May 2025. By April 2026, fully restored. The best defensive midfielder in the world when fit.
Rodri.
The defensive midfielder.
Twenty-nine years old.
Manchester City.
Sixty-one caps, four goals.
Twenty twenty-four Ballon d'Or winner.
The first Man City player ever to win it.
Tore his A C L against Arsenal in September twenty twenty-four.
Returned in May twenty twenty-five.
By April twenty twenty-six, fully restored.
The best defensive midfielder in the world when fit.
SPAIN · FORWARD
Mikel Oyarzabal
29
Age
R. Sociedad
Club
52
Caps
24
Goals
★ Scored the decisive goal in the Euro 2024 final against England. 86th minute. 2-1. Won the trophy. 11 goals in his last 10 appearances heading into the World Cup. Won the 2025-26 Copa del Rey with Sociedad.
Mikel Oyarzabal.
The forward.
Twenty-nine years old.
Real Sociedad.
Fifty-two caps, twenty-four goals.
Scored the decisive goal in the Euro twenty twenty-four final against England.
Eighty-sixth minute.
Two-one.
Won the trophy.
Eleven goals in his last ten appearances heading into the World Cup.
Won the twenty twenty-five-twenty-six Copa del Rey with Sociedad.
Group H · The Pedigree
Uruguay
FIFA #17
Group H · The Pedigree
URUGUAY
Bielsa appointed May 2023 — previously Argentina, Chile, Athletic Bilbao, Leeds United. Two-time world champions (1930 · 1950 Maracanazo). Four World Cup semifinals in their history. Qualified through CONMEBOL in September 2025, beating Peru 3-0.
1930 · 1950
World Champions
BEAT PERU 3-0
Qualified Sep 2025
3-3-3-1
Bielsa's system
Head Coach
Marcelo Bielsa
⚠ Suárez gone · Cavani gone · end of a golden era · squad avg age 28.4
Now.
Uruguay.
Ranked seventeenth.
Marcelo Bielsa, appointed in May twenty twenty-three.
Previously Argentina, Chile, Athletic Bilbao, Leeds United.
Two-time world champions.
Nineteen thirty.
Nineteen fifty.
The Maracanazo.
Four World Cup semifinals in their history.
Qualified through CONMEBOL in September twenty twenty-five.
Beat Peru three-nil.
The strength is the pedigree.
The weakness is generational.
Luis Suárez gone.
Edinson Cavani gone.
The end of a golden era.
Bielsa's three-three-three-one demands total commitment.
The squad average age is twenty-eight point four.
URUGUAY · STAR PLAYERS
The 4 Uruguayan players to watch
1/4
URUGUAY · MIDFIELDER · VICE-CAPTAIN
Federico Valverde
27
Age
Real Madrid
Club
73
Caps
9
Goals
★ Scored his first career hat-trick on 11 March 2026 against Manchester City in the Champions League. A 3-0 win. Two Champions League titles. Three La Liga titles. The pivot around whom Bielsa builds everything.
Federico Valverde.
The midfielder and vice-captain.
Twenty-seven years old.
Real Madrid.
Seventy-three caps, nine goals.
Scored his first career hat-trick on the eleventh of March twenty twenty-six against Manchester City in the Champions League.
A three-nil win.
Two Champions League titles.
Three La Liga titles.
The pivot around whom Bielsa builds everything.
URUGUAY · STRIKER
Darwin Núñez
26
Age
Al-Hilal
Club
38
Caps
13
Goals
★ Won the Premier League with Liverpool in 2024-25 before moving. 9 goals in 24 appearances at Al-Hilal this season. Won the Primeira Liga Golden Boot with Benfica — 26 goals in 28 matches. Pace and power.
Darwin Núñez.
The striker.
Twenty-six years old.
Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League.
Thirty-eight caps, thirteen goals.
Won the Premier League with Liverpool in twenty twenty-four-twenty-five before moving.
Nine goals in twenty-four appearances at Al-Hilal this season.
Won the Primeira Liga Golden Boot with Benfica with twenty-six goals in twenty-eight matches.
Pace and power.
URUGUAY · CAPTAIN · CB
José María Giménez
31
Age
Atlético
Club
99
Caps
8
Goals
★ Likely earns his hundredth cap at this World Cup. Joined Atlético in 2013 at age 18. Over 380 appearances for the club. Won La Liga twice. Won the Europa League in 2017-18. The last line of sanity at the back.
José María Giménez.
The captain and centre-back.
Thirty-one years old.
Atlético Madrid.
Ninety-nine caps, eight goals.
Likely earns his hundredth at this World Cup.
Joined Atlético in twenty thirteen at age eighteen.
Over three hundred and eighty appearances for the club.
Won La Liga twice.
Won the Europa League in twenty seventeen-eighteen.
The last line of sanity at the back.
URUGUAY · DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER
Manuel Ugarte
24
Age
Man Utd
Club
35
Caps
90+11
vs COL
★ Signed from PSG in August 2024 for around €50M. Scored the latest winning goal in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying history — 90+11 minutes against Colombia. Named in the Copa América 2024 Team of the Tournament.
Manuel Ugarte.
The defensive midfielder.
Twenty-four years old.
Manchester United.
Signed from P S G in August twenty twenty-four for around fifty million euros.
Thirty-five caps, one goal.
Scored the latest winning goal in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying history.
Ninety plus eleven minutes against Colombia.
Named in the Copa América twenty twenty-four Team of the Tournament.
Group H · Spirit of 2022
Saudi Arabia
FIFA #61
Group H · Spirit of 2022
SAUDI ARABIA
Georgios Donis — the Greek — appointed 23 April 2026, just 60 days before the World Cup opens. His first international management role. Replaced Hervé Renard after a 4-0 friendly loss to Egypt. The most destabilising manager change in Group H. The strength is the spirit of 2022 — the largest upset in modern World Cup history.
60 DAYS
Donis appointed 23 Apr
ARG 2-1
ended Messi's 36-game streak
3RD WC
in a row · 7th overall
Head Coach
Georgios Donis
⚠ Tactical flux · entirely domestic squad · no European top-flight players
Now to the Gulf.
Saudi Arabia.
Ranked sixty-first.
Georgios Donis, the Greek, appointed on the twenty-third of April twenty twenty-six.
Just sixty days before the World Cup opens.
His first international management role.
Replaced Hervé Renard after a four-nil friendly loss to Egypt.
The most destabilising manager change in Group H.
The strength is the spirit of twenty twenty-two.
They beat Argentina two-one.
They ended Lionel Messi's thirty-six-match unbeaten streak.
The largest upset in modern World Cup history.
The weakness is the tactical flux.
An entirely domestic squad.
No European top-flight players.
Third consecutive World Cup.
Seventh overall.
SAUDI ARABIA · STAR PLAYERS
The 4 Saudi players to watch
1/4
SAUDI ARABIA · CAPTAIN · LW
Salem Al-Dawsari
34
Age
Al Hilal
Club
107
Caps
26
Goals
★ Scored the iconic winning goal against Argentina at the 2022 World Cup. AFC Player of the Year twice — most recently in 2025. The first Saudi player ever to win it twice. Top Asian goalscorer in Club World Cup history with 5 goals.
Salem Al-Dawsari.
The captain and left winger.
Thirty-four years old.
Al Hilal.
One hundred and seven caps, twenty-six goals.
Scored the iconic winning goal against Argentina at the twenty twenty-two World Cup.
AFC Player of the Year twice.
Most recently in twenty twenty-five.
The first Saudi player ever to win it twice.
Top Asian goalscorer in Club World Cup history with five goals.
SAUDI ARABIA · GOALKEEPER
Mohammed Al-Owais
34
Age
Al-Ula
Club
62
Caps
POTM
vs ARG 2022
★ Player of the Match in Saudi Arabia's 2-1 win over Argentina at the 2022 World Cup. Multiple saves against Mexico in the same group stage helped eliminate them. Multiple Saudi Pro League titles with Al-Hilal. Multiple King Cups.
Mohammed Al-Owais.
The goalkeeper.
Thirty-four years old.
Al-Ula.
Sixty-two caps.
Player of the Match in Saudi Arabia's two-one win over Argentina at the twenty twenty-two World Cup.
Multiple saves against Mexico in the same group stage helped eliminate them.
Multiple Saudi Pro League titles with Al-Hilal.
Multiple King Cups.
SAUDI ARABIA · STRIKER
Firas Al-Buraikan
25
Age
Al-Ahli
Club
68
Caps
15
Goals
★ Won the AFC Under-23 Asian Cup in 2022. Won the AFC Champions League Elite in 2024-25. 32 goals in 62 appearances at Al-Fateh. The youngest key player in this Saudi squad. Pace and movement.
Firas Al-Buraikan.
The striker.
Twenty-five years old.
Al-Ahli.
Sixty-eight caps, fifteen goals.
Won the AFC Under twenty-three Asian Cup in twenty twenty-two.
Won the AFC Champions League Elite in twenty twenty-four-twenty-five.
Thirty-two goals in sixty-two appearances at Al-Fateh.
The youngest key player in this Saudi squad.
Pace and movement.
SAUDI ARABIA · STRIKER
Saleh Al-Shehri
ST
Pos
Al-Hilal
Club
57
Caps
48'
vs ARG 2022
★ Scored Saudi Arabia's first goal in the famous 2-1 win over Argentina — the 48th-minute equaliser. Set up Salem Al-Dawsari for the winner. The other half of the upset that shook the world.
Saleh Al-Shehri.
The striker.
Al-Hilal.
Fifty-seven caps.
Scored Saudi Arabia's first goal in the famous two-one win over Argentina.
The forty-eighth-minute equaliser.
Set up Salem Al-Dawsari for the winner.
The other half of the upset that shook the world.
Group H · The Blue Sharks
Cape Verde
FIFA #69
Group H · The Blue Sharks
CAPE VERDE
Bubista in charge since 2020. Led the Blue Sharks to their first ever World Cup qualification in October 2025 as CAF group winners. The smallest nation by land area ever to qualify for a FIFA World Cup — 4,033 km², population around 500,000. Three Africa Cup of Nations appearances; quarterfinalists in 2013.
4,033 KM²
Smallest WC nation ever
~500K
1 in 22,000 in squad
AFCON QF
2013
Head Coach
Bubista
⚠ Ranked #69 · opening vs Spain (#2) · Mendes age 36
And finally.
Cape Verde.
Ranked sixty-ninth.
Pedro Leitão Brito.
Bubista.
In charge since twenty twenty.
Led the Blue Sharks to their first ever World Cup qualification in October twenty twenty-five.
CAF group winners.
The smallest nation by land area ever to qualify for a FIFA World Cup.
Four thousand and thirty-three square kilometres.
Population around five hundred thousand.
Their squad represents roughly one in twenty-two thousand of the entire country.
The strength is the story.
The weakness is the level.
Three African Cup of Nations appearances.
Quarterfinalists in twenty thirteen.
CAPE VERDE · STAR PLAYERS
The 4 Blue Sharks players to watch
1/4
CAPE VERDE · CAPTAIN · RW
Ryan Mendes
36
Age
Iğdır FK
Club
96
Caps
22
Goals
★ Cape Verde's all-time records in caps and goals. Career stops at Le Havre, Lille, England, Turkey, the UAE. The undisputed heartbeat of the squad. 25 appearances in the TFF First League this season. The veteran who carried the Blue Sharks to their first ever World Cup.
Ryan Mendes.
The captain and right winger.
Thirty-six years old.
Iğdır F K in the Turkish second division.
Ninety-six caps.
Twenty-two goals.
Cape Verde's all-time records in both.
Career stops at Le Havre, Lille, England, Turkey, the U A E.
The undisputed heartbeat of the squad.
Twenty-five appearances in the T F F First League this season.
The veteran who carried the Blue Sharks to their first ever World Cup.
CAPE VERDE · LEFT WING
Jovane Cabral
27
Age
Estrela
Club
27
Caps
3
Goals
★ Six years at Sporting CP — won the Primeira Liga in 2020-21. Won the Primeira Liga Goal of the Season in 2018-19. Loan spells at Lazio and Olympiacos. 7 goals in domestic play this season.
Jovane Cabral.
The left winger.
Twenty-seven years old.
Estrela da Amadora in the Primeira Liga.
Twenty-seven caps, three goals.
Six years at Sporting C P. Won the Primeira Liga in twenty twenty-twenty-one.
Won the Primeira Liga Goal of the Season in twenty eighteen-nineteen.
Loan spells at Lazio and Olympiacos.
Seven goals in domestic play this season.
CAPE VERDE · FORWARD
Dailon Livramento
24
Age
Casa Pia
Club
20
Caps
7
Goals
★ 4 goals in World Cup qualifying. Scored on his Serie A debut against Napoli — a 3-0 win on 18 August 2024. Born in Rotterdam to Cape Verdean parents. Cape Verde's best counter-attack weapon.
Dailon Livramento.
The forward.
Twenty-four years old.
Casa Pia, on loan from Hellas Verona.
Twenty caps, seven goals.
Four goals in World Cup qualifying.
Scored on his Serie A debut against Napoli.
A three-nil win on the eighteenth of August twenty twenty-four.
Born in Rotterdam to Cape Verdean parents.
Cape Verde's best counter-attack weapon.
CAPE VERDE · CENTRAL MIDFIELDER
Jamiro Monteiro
32
Age
PEC Zwolle
Club
49
Caps
5
Goals
★ Won the 2020 MLS Supporters' Shield with Philadelphia Union. CONCACAF Champions League Team of the Tournament in 2021. Born in Rotterdam to Cape Verdean immigrants. Set-pieces and transitions run through him.
Jamiro Monteiro.
The central midfielder.
Thirty-two years old.
P E C Zwolle in the Eredivisie.
Forty-nine caps, five goals.
Won the twenty twenty M L S Supporters' Shield with Philadelphia Union.
CONCACAF Champions League Team of the Tournament in twenty twenty-one.
Born in Rotterdam to Cape Verdean immigrants.
Set-pieces and transitions run through him.
Group H · Schedule
6 GAMES. 4 TEAMS.
One path out.
ESP
URU
KSA
CPV
Now the matches.
GROUP H · SCHEDULE
All 6 Group H matches
1/6
MATCHDAY 1 · 15 JUN
Spain vs Cape Verde
15 Jun 2026 · TBD
Spain
VS
Cape Verde
Mercedes-Benz Stadium · Atlanta GA · ~71,000 seats
YAMAL vs CPV BLOCK
★ Retractable pinwheel roof. The iconic Halo video board. WC debutants face the highest-ranked team in the tournament.
Match one.
The fifteenth of June.
Spain versus Cape Verde.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Around seventy-one thousand seats.
Retractable pinwheel roof.
The iconic Halo video board.
World Cup debutants face the highest-ranked team in the tournament.
Yamal against Cape Verde's compact block.
MATCHDAY 1 · 15 JUN
Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay
15 Jun 2026 · TBD
Saudi Arabia
VS
Uruguay
Hard Rock Stadium · Miami Gardens FL · ~65,300 seats
BIELSA vs DONIS
★ Home of the Miami Dolphins. Six Super Bowls hosted here. Bielsa's pressing system against Donis's brand-new Saudi setup.
Match two.
The fifteenth of June.
Saudi Arabia versus Uruguay.
Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
Around sixty-five thousand three hundred seats.
Home of the Miami Dolphins.
Six Super Bowls hosted here.
Bielsa's pressing system against Donis's brand-new Saudi setup.
MATCHDAY 2 · 21 JUN
Spain vs Saudi Arabia
21 Jun 2026 · TBD
Spain
VS
Saudi Arabia
Mercedes-Benz Stadium · Atlanta GA · ~71,000 seats
AL-DAWSARI vs RODRI
★ Mercedes-Benz Stadium again — its second Group H booking. The 2022 upset memory haunts every Argentina-shaped opponent.
Match three.
The twenty-first of June.
Spain versus Saudi Arabia.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, again.
Spain's second group game.
Al-Dawsari against Rodri in midfield.
The twenty twenty-two upset memory haunts every Argentina-shaped opponent.
MATCHDAY 2 · 21 JUN
Uruguay vs Cape Verde
21 Jun 2026 · TBD
Uruguay
VS
Cape Verde
Hard Rock Stadium · Miami Gardens FL · ~65,300 seats
VALVERDE vs MENDES
★ Hard Rock Stadium again — its second Group H booking. A potential Uruguay statement match. The Blue Sharks looking for a debut World Cup point.
Match four.
The twenty-first of June.
Uruguay versus Cape Verde.
Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, again.
Valverde against Mendes.
A potential Uruguay statement match.
The Blue Sharks looking for a debut World Cup point.
MATCHDAY 3 · 26 JUN
Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia
26 Jun 2026 · TBD
Cape Verde
VS
Saudi Arabia
NRG Stadium · Houston TX · 72,220 seats
FIGHT FOR THIRD
★ First NFL stadium with a retractable roof — opens or closes in 7 minutes. The fight for third place. Possibly for nothing.
Match five.
The twenty-sixth of June.
Cape Verde versus Saudi Arabia.
N R G Stadium in Houston.
Seventy-two thousand two hundred and twenty seats.
The first N F L stadium with a retractable roof.
Opens or closes in seven minutes.
The fight for third place.
Possibly for nothing.
MATCHDAY 3 · 26 JUN
Uruguay vs Spain
26 Jun 2026 · TBD
Uruguay
VS
Spain
Estadio Akron · Zapopan · 49,813 seats
DEFINING TEST · ALTITUDE
★ 1,566 metres above sea level. The only altitude venue in Group H. Two-time world champions against the world's number two. The defining test of Group H.
Match six.
The twenty-sixth of June.
Uruguay versus Spain.
Estadio Akron in Zapopan, near Guadalajara.
Forty-nine thousand eight hundred and thirteen seats.
One thousand five hundred and sixty-six metres above sea level.
The only altitude venue in Group H.
Two-time world champions against the world's number two.
The defining test of Group H.
Predicted Standings · Bookmakers
The verdict from Vegas.
| Team | Win Group | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 1Spain | ~80-83% | FAVOURITES |
| 2Uruguay | ~17-20% | PEDIGREE |
| 3Saudi Arabia | ~4-6% | SPIRIT OF 2022 |
| 4Cape Verde | ~1-2% | BLUE SHARKS |
Sources: BetMGM + RotoWire · April 2026
THE HINGE · Uruguay vs Spain · Estadio Akron · 26 Jun (Altitude)
Mark The Dates
MATCHDAY 1
15
JUN
ESP vs CPV · Mercedes-Benz Atlanta
KSA vs URU · Hard Rock Miami
KSA vs URU · Hard Rock Miami
MATCHDAY 2
21
JUN
ESP vs KSA · Mercedes-Benz Atlanta
URU vs CPV · Hard Rock Miami
URU vs CPV · Hard Rock Miami
FINAL MD
26
JUN
CPV vs KSA · NRG Houston
URU vs ESP · Estadio Akron Zapopan
URU vs ESP · Estadio Akron Zapopan
ESP
URU
KSA
CPV
Follow AI Football for every group · every player · every story
Mark the dates.
The fifteenth of June.
Spain versus Cape Verde in Atlanta.
Saudi Arabia versus Uruguay in Miami Gardens.
The twenty-first of June.
Spain versus Saudi Arabia in Atlanta.
Uruguay versus Cape Verde in Miami Gardens.
The twenty-sixth of June.
The final matchday.
Cape Verde versus Saudi Arabia in Houston.
Uruguay versus Spain in Zapopan.
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