2026 FIFA World Cup Group H: Schedule, Standings & Prediction
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Group H brings together four teams with very different stories: Spain, the tournament’s second-ranked side and reigning European champions; Cape Verde, an African island nation making their historic World Cup debut; Saudi Arabia, who barely survived a chaotic qualification campaign; and Uruguay, entering a new era without Suárez and Cavani for the first time in over two decades.
Spain are overwhelming favorites to top the group. The real battle is for second place, with Uruguay and Saudi Arabia both capable of advancing, while Cape Verde arrive with nothing to lose and everything to prove.
Group H carries compelling stories that go far beyond the pitch. Cape Verde topped their CAF qualifying group ahead of Cameroon despite a population of just 525,000, making them the second-smallest nation ever to reach a World Cup. Saudi Arabia sacked Roberto Mancini mid-qualification, rehired Hervé Renard, and then lost 4-0 to Egypt in March 2026.
Uruguay face their biggest rebuild in 20 years under Marcelo Bielsa, while Spain arrive with Lamine Yamal and a fully fit Rodri back from his ACL injury for the first time since 2024.
2026 FIFA World Cup Group H Teams
| Team | Confederation | FIFA Rank (Apr 2026) | WC Appearances | Pot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | UEFA | #2 | 17th | 1 |
| Cape Verde | CAF | #69 | 1st (debut) | 2 |
| Saudi Arabia | AFC | #61 | 8th | 3 |
| Uruguay | CONMEBOL | #17 | 15th | 4 |
Group H Match Schedule 2026
All times are Eastern Time (ET). FOX and FS1 broadcast in English. Telemundo and Universo cover Spanish broadcasts. All matches stream on Peacock.
Matchday 1 (Monday, June 15)
| Match | Time (ET) | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Spain vs Cape Verde | 12:00 PM | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
| Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay | 6:00 PM | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami |
Matchday 2 (Sunday, June 21)
| Match | Time (ET) | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Spain vs Saudi Arabia | 12:00 PM | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
| Uruguay vs Cape Verde | 6:00 PM | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami |
Matchday 3 (Friday, June 26)
Both Matchday 3 games kick off simultaneously at 8:00 PM ET on June 26, keeping the qualification race open until the final whistle.
| Match | Time (ET) | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Uruguay vs Spain | 8:00 PM | Estadio Akron, Guadalajara, Mexico |
| Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia | 8:00 PM | NRG Stadium, Houston |
Group H Standings
Standings update after June 15, 2026.
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Cape Verde | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Saudi Arabia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Uruguay | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
- Top 2 teams advance automatically to the Round of 32
- Best 8 third-place teams across all 12 groups also advance
- 4 points almost guarantees third-place advancement; 3 points can work with a strong goal difference
Tiebreaker order: Goal difference > Goals scored > Head-to-head points > Head-to-head goal difference > Head-to-head goals scored > Fair play score > FIFA ranking
Venue Guide: Where Group H Matches Are Played
| Match | Stadium | City | Capacity | Key Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spain vs Cape Verde | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Atlanta | 71,000 | Hosts two Group H matches |
| Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay | Hard Rock Stadium | Miami | 65,326 | Hosts two Group H matches |
| Spain vs Saudi Arabia | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Atlanta | 71,000 | Same venue as MD1 Spain match |
| Uruguay vs Cape Verde | Hard Rock Stadium | Miami | 65,326 | Same venue as MD1 Saudi match |
| Uruguay vs Spain | Estadio Akron | Guadalajara, Mexico | 46,232 | Only Group H match in Mexico |
| Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia | NRG Stadium | Houston | 72,220 | Largest Group H venue |
Group H matches are spread across four cities and three countries. The group finale on June 26 splits between Guadalajara in Mexico and Houston in Texas.
How to Watch Group H Matches
| Country | TV Channels | Streaming |
|---|---|---|
| USA | FOX, FS1, Telemundo, Universo | Peacock, FOX Sports App |
| UK | ITV, BBC | ITVX, BBC iPlayer |
| Canada | CTV, TSN, RDS | TSN+, CTV GO |
| Australia | SBS | SBS On Demand |
| Mexico | Televisa, TV Azteca, TUDN | ViX |
| Spain | RTVE, DAZN | RTVE Play free, DAZN all 104 |
| Saudi Arabia | Saudi TV, beIN Sports | beIN Sports Connect |
| Uruguay | TCC, VTV, Canal 10 | TCC Go |
| Cape Verde | TCV | TCV online stream |
| France | M6, beIN Sports | 54 matches on M6 free |
| Germany | ARD, ZDF | ARD and ZDF free to air |
Fans in other countries can check the full global broadcaster list at 2026 FIFA World Cup TV channels and broadcasting rights.
Group H Team Analysis and Preview
Spain
Manager: Luis de la Fuente (since 2022)
De la Fuente spent 12 years in the Spanish national setup before taking the senior job. He won Euro 2024 and enters the World Cup with Spain ranked second in the world. In March 2026, Spain beat Serbia 3-0 with Oyarzabal scoring twice and Rodri starting for the first time since his 2024 ACL injury. They drew Egypt 0-0 four days later with a rotated squad, with Spain having 26 shots but being denied by Egypt goalkeeper Shobeir throughout.
Key players: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona, 18), Pedri (Barcelona), Rodri (Man City), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Martin Zubimendi (Arsenal), Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Dean Huijsen (Real Madrid), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea), Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao, GK). Injury concerns: Mikel Merino (foot), Fabian Ruiz (knee).
World Cup record: 17 appearances. Won 2010 World Cup.
Last appearance: 2022. Knocked out by Morocco on penalties in the Round of 16.
Cape Verde
Manager: Pedro Leitão Brito “Bubista” (since January 2020)
Bubista has transformed Cape Verde from a side that merely survives into one that competes. He led them to AFCON quarter-finals in 2023 and World Cup qualification in 2025, topping CAF Group D ahead of Cameroon with seven wins, two draws and one loss. Their defense recorded six clean sheets across the campaign. Cape Verde’s squad is built almost entirely on diaspora players. Defender Roberto Lopes was contacted via LinkedIn and has been a first-team regular since 2019.
Key players: Ryan Mendes (captain, 35, Turkey Süper Lig), Roberto Lopes “Pico” (Shamrock Rovers), Logan Costa (Villarreal, the only player from Europe’s top five leagues), Jovane Cabral (Estrela da Amadora), Jamiro Monteiro (San Jose Earthquakes), Dailon Livramento (Hellas Verona), Vozinha (GK).
World Cup record: 1st appearance. First-ever World Cup debut.
Notable: Second-smallest nation ever to qualify for the World Cup, behind only Iceland in 2018. Population: 525,000.
Saudi Arabia
Manager: Hervé Renard (second stint, returned October 2024)
Roberto Mancini was sacked in October 2024 after Saudi Arabia drew with Bahrain and Indonesia in qualification. Renard, who masterminded the famous 2-1 win over Argentina at the 2022 World Cup, returned for a second stint and dragged them through the AFC Fourth Round, qualifying on goals scored after beating Indonesia 3-2 and drawing Iraq 0-0.
However, Renard is now under severe pressure after Saudi Arabia lost 4-0 to Egypt on March 27 and 2-1 to Serbia on March 31 in their final March 2026 friendlies.
Key players: Salem Al-Dawsari (Al-Hilal, captain), Mohamed Kanno (Al-Hilal), Saud Abdulhamid (Al-Hilal), Musab Al-Juwayr (Al Qadsiah, 22), Firas Al-Buraikan (Al-Ahli), Mohamed Al-Owais (Al-Hilal, GK). Almost the entire squad plays in the Saudi Pro League.
World Cup record: 8 appearances. Third consecutive.
Best finish: Round of 16 (1994). Beat Argentina 2-1 in 2022 group stage.
Uruguay
Manager: Marcelo Bielsa (since 2023)
Bielsa (“El Loco”) brings his signature high-intensity pressing game to Uruguay. He qualified them by finishing fourth in CONMEBOL with wins over Brazil and Argentina. This is Uruguay’s first World Cup without Suarez or Cavani since 2002. In March 2026, Uruguay drew England 1-1 at Wembley with Federico Valverde scoring a late VAR-reviewed penalty.
Key players: Federico Valverde (Real Madrid), Darwin Núñez (Al-Hilal), Ronald Araújo (Barcelona), José María Giménez (Atlético Madrid, captain, 97+ caps), Manuel Ugarte (PSG), Rodrigo Bentancur, Mathías Olivera, Facundo Pellistri.
World Cup record: 15 appearances. Won 1930 and 1950.
Best finish: Winners (1930, 1950). Semi-final 2010.
Head-to-Head Records
| Matchup | Record | Last Result | World Cup H2H |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spain vs Cape Verde | Never met | First ever June 15 | 0 |
| Spain vs Saudi Arabia | Spain edge (3 meetings) | Spain won 1-0 (2006 WC group stage) | Spain 1-0 (2006) |
| Spain vs Uruguay | Spain edge | Multiple meetings | Multiple WC meetings |
| Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia | Never met | First ever June 26 | 0 |
| Cape Verde vs Uruguay | Never met | First ever June 21 | 0 |
| Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay | Uruguay edge (3 meetings) | Uruguay 1-0 (2018 WC) | Uruguay 1-0 (2018) |
Three of six Group H fixtures are first-ever meetings. Spain and Cape Verde have never played. Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia have never played. Cape Verde and Uruguay have never played.
Why Group H Is Interesting
- Cape Verde topped their CAF qualifying group ahead of Cameroon with a population of just 525,000, the second-smallest nation ever at a World Cup and their first appearance in history
- Saudi Arabia sacked Mancini mid-qualification, brought Renard back, then lost 4-0 to Egypt and 2-1 to Serbia in their final two March 2026 friendlies
- Uruguay face this tournament without Suarez and Cavani for the first time since 2002. Bielsa’s demanding style is reshaping the squad around Valverde, Núñez and Araújo
- Spain beat Serbia 3-0 in March with Rodri starting for the first time since a 2024 ACL. The midfield anchor they needed is finally available
- Roberto Lopes of Cape Verde was contacted via LinkedIn and never played in a top five European league. He is now a first-choice defender at his country’s first-ever World Cup
- Uruguay vs Spain on June 26 in Guadalajara is one of the group stage’s most anticipated matches, likely deciding who wins Group H
- Darwin Núñez moved from Liverpool to Al-Hilal and now faces his biggest international stage, leading Uruguay’s attack at a World Cup without their legendary strikers
2026 World Cup Group H Predictions
- Matchday 1: Spain 3-0 Cape Verde. Saudi Arabia 0-2 Uruguay.
- Matchday 2: Spain 2-0 Saudi Arabia. Uruguay 2-1 Cape Verde.
- Matchday 3: Uruguay 1-2 Spain. Cape Verde 1-1 Saudi Arabia.
Our Final Predicted Standings
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spain | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | +6 | 9 | Advance |
| 2 | Uruguay | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 6 | Advance |
| 3 | Cape Verde | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | -4 | 1 | Eliminated |
| 4 | Saudi Arabia | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 1 | Eliminated |
Spain win the group with a perfect nine points. Uruguay advance in second. Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia are eliminated, separated only by goal difference if predictions hold.
- 4 points: almost guaranteed advance to Round of 32
- 3 points: possible with a strong goal difference
- 1-2 points: very unlikely to advance
Group H Road to the Round of 32
| Finish | Next Match | Date | Venue | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Round of 32 | TBD | TBD | Group J runner-up |
| 2nd | Round of 32 | TBD | TBD | Group J winner |
The Group H winner faces the Group J runner-up in the Round of 32. The Group H runner-up faces the Group J winner. Group J consists of Argentina, Algeria, Austria and Jordan.
2026 FIFA World Cup Group H FAQs
Who is in Group H at the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
Group H consists of Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.
When does Group H start?
Group H opens on Monday, June 15, 2026, with Spain vs Cape Verde at 12:00 PM ET at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, and Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay at 6:00 PM ET at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
Is this Cape Verde’s first World Cup?
Yes. Cape Verde qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the first time in their history, topping CAF Group D ahead of Cameroon in October 2025. They are the second-smallest nation ever to reach a World Cup, with a population of just 525,000.
Who is Spain’s manager for 2026?
Spain’s manager is Luis de la Fuente, who has been in charge since 2022. He guided Spain to the Euro 2024 title and enters the World Cup with his squad ranked second in the world.
What is Saudi Arabia’s World Cup history?
Saudi Arabia are making their eighth World Cup appearance and third consecutive. Their best finish was the Round of 16 in 1994. They are best known for beating eventual champions Argentina 2-1 in the 2022 group stage, one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history.
Has Uruguay won the World Cup before?
Yes. Uruguay won the first-ever World Cup in 1930 as hosts, and won again in 1950 in Brazil in what is still known as the “Maracanazo.” They have reached the semi-finals as recently as 2010.
Who is Saudi Arabia’s manager for 2026?
Saudi Arabia are managed by Hervé Renard, who returned for a second stint in October 2024 after Roberto Mancini was sacked mid-qualification. Renard previously managed Saudi Arabia from 2019 to 2023 and oversaw their famous 2-1 win over Argentina at the 2022 World Cup.
Group H is one of the most watchable in the draw. Spain are strong favorites but Uruguay have the quality to push them all the way to Matchday 3 in Guadalajara. Cape Verde arrive as the group’s great unknown, a 525,000-person island nation at their first-ever World Cup.
Saudi Arabia need to find their best form fast after a difficult March. The group runs from June 15 to June 26, and final standings will not be confirmed until both Matchday 3 matches kick off simultaneously at 8:00 PM ET on June 26.
