Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay. European champions Spain are the class of the field; Uruguay bring grit and a deep core, debutants Cape Verde are the fairytale, and Saudi Arabia chase another famous scalp.
Key stats of each team
Below are numbers from each team's recent matches, computed from the ScanGoal database. Each card ends with auto-insights — what stands out in the data.
Spain last 12 months · 12 matches| Goals for/game | 2.7 |
| Goals against/game | 0.3 |
| xG for/game | 2.7 |
| xG against/game | 0.4 |
| Over 2.5 goals | 67% |
| Both teams score | 25% |
| Corners/game | 7.3 |
| Yellow cards/game | 0.6 |
| Shots on target/game | 7.8 |
- a high-scoring side: over 2.5 goals in 67% of games
- a tight defence — just 0.3 conceded per game
- a strong attack — 2.7 goals per game
- often one-sided for goals: both teams score in just 25%
- works the flanks — 7.3 corners per game
- disciplined — only 0.6 yellows per game
- creates real chances: 2.7 xG per game
Cape Verde last 12 months · 11 matches| Goals for/game | 1.7 |
| Goals against/game | 0.8 |
| Over 2.5 goals | 45% |
| Both teams score | 36% |
| Corners/game | 4.4 |
| Yellow cards/game | 1.5 |
| Shots on target/game | 4.6 |
- a tight defence — just 0.8 conceded per game
Saudi Arabia last 12 months · 21 matches| Goals for/game | 0.8 |
| Goals against/game | 1.4 |
| xG for/game | 1.2 |
| xG against/game | 1.1 |
| Over 2.5 goals | 43% |
| Both teams score | 48% |
| Corners/game | 3.3 |
| Yellow cards/game | 1.5 |
| Shots on target/game | 2.4 |
- blunt in attack — only 0.8 goals per game
- few corners — 3.3 per game
- under-finishing their xG
Uruguay last 12 months · 9 matches| Goals for/game | 1.0 |
| Goals against/game | 0.9 |
| Over 2.5 goals | 33% |
| Both teams score | 44% |
| Corners/game | 4.8 |
| Yellow cards/game | 1.7 |
| Shots on target/game | 3.2 |
- tilts under: under 2.5 goals in 67% of games
- blunt in attack — only 1.0 goals per game
Form going in
Spain — recent form WDDWDW| 21.06.26 | Spain4:0xG 2.9 : 0.1Saudi Arabia | World Cup 2026 |
| 15.06.26 | Spain0:0xG 2.3 : 0.3Cape Verde Islands | World Cup 2026 |
| 09.06.26 | Peru1:3xG 1.4 : 1.9Spain | International Match |
| 04.06.26 | Spain1:1xG 1.4 : 0.2Iraq | Friendlies |
| 31.03.26 | Spain0:0xG 2.3 : 0.1Egypt | International Match |
| 27.03.26 | Spain3:0Serbia | International Match |
Cape Verde — recent form DLDLLD| 15.06.26 | Spain0:0xG 2.3 : 0.3Cape Verde Islands | World Cup 2026 |
| 06.06.26 | Cape Verde Islands3:0Bermuda | International Match |
| 31.05.26 | Cape Verde Islands3:0Serbia | International Match |
| 30.03.26 | Cape Verde Islands1:1xG 0.9 : 1.3Finland | Friendlies |
| 27.03.26 | Chile4:2xG 2.4 : 1.7Cape Verde Islands | International Match |
| 17.11.25 | Egypt1:1Cape Verde Islands | International Match |
Who goes through
Spain are heavy favourites to win the group and one of the tournament favourites overall. Uruguay's experience and physicality make them the pick for second over a brave Cape Verde and a Saudi side that springs surprises.
Dark horse & possible upset
Cape Verde are the romance, but the real upset threat is Saudi Arabia — they have beaten elite teams at this stage before. Spain dropping points early is the only thing that turns this group into a scramble.
Squads: call-ups & shocks
Spain arrive as European champions, but Luis de la Fuente named a squad with no Real Madrid players at all — Dani Carvajal and Dean Huijsen both left out — and, strikingly, no Álvaro Morata, the captain who lifted Euro 2024. Lamine Yamal headlines a golden generation alongside an emotional recall for Gavi; Rodri wears the armband, with Fermín López out injured. In the same group, Uruguay's Marcelo Bielsa builds around Federico Valverde, Ronald Araújo and veteran keeper Fernando Muslera. Sources: ESPN (Spain), beIN (Uruguay).
Betting angles
Spain are an elite overs and corners team (the corners card is among the highest you'll see). Expect team-total and corner markets to be popular in their fixtures; Uruguay games tighten up.
Remember: totals, corners and cards are markets where our national-team data is most useful. Cross-check live odds and our Value Picks of the day; the handicap mechanics are covered in our Asian handicap guide.
Analysis only. Betting is 18+, please gamble responsibly.