Group H · Match 14Full time
- Pedri 90'+3'
- S. Lopes Cabral 16'
Spain
Group HFIFA ranking #1UEFAESP
World champions 2010 · European champions 2024
Profile
The world's number-one-ranked team and reigning European champions arrive in North America as many bookmakers' outright favourites for the title. Under Luis de la Fuente, Spain have rediscovered the suffocating possession game that made them unstoppable between 2008 and 2012, but now with the dazzling direct brilliance of Lamine Yamal — the Barcelona teenager who is widely expected to define this entire World Cup. Still only 18, Yamal has already won the Euros, becoming the youngest player to appear in a European Championship final. Pedri controls the midfield tempo with extraordinary maturity for his age. Rodri, the reigning Ballon d'Or winner, provides the defensive screen and passing platform. Spain's squad depth is extraordinary — first-choice players in almost every position would comfortably start for any other nation at this tournament. Group H contains Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay — challenging opponents, but Spain should qualify with comfort and are built to go the distance.
Spain fixtures
Group H · Match 38Full time
- L. Yamal 10'
- M. Oyarzabal 21'
- M. Oyarzabal 24'
- H. Al-Tambakti (OG) 49'
- S. Al-Dawsari 30'
- M. Kanno 60'
Group H · Match 66Full time
- J. Sanabria 54'
- G. Varela 58'
- N. de la Cruz 90'+3'
- A. Canobbio 90'+5'
- Á. Baena 42'
- Á. Baena 46'
Round of 32 · Match 83Full time
- M. Oyarzabal 36'
- P. Porro 66'
- M. Oyarzabal 89'
- S. Posch 83'
Round of 16 · Match 93Full time
- B. Silva 89'
- R. Veiga 90'+4'
- M. Merino 90'+1'
- F. Torres 90'+8'
Quarter-final · Match 98Full time
- F. Ruiz 30'
- P. Cubarsí 43'
- M. Merino 88'
- A. Laporte 90'+3'
- C. De Ketelaere 41'
- K. De Bruyne 85'
- A. Witsel 90'+5'
Semi-final · Match 101Full time
- A. Rabiot 9'
- K. Mbappé 86'
- M. Oyarzabal (P) 22'
- M. Cucurella 31'
- P. Porro 58'
Final · Match 104AET
- F. Torres 106'
- L. Martínez 41'
- L. Paredes 52'
- E. Fernández 82'
- C. Romero 90'+2'
- E. Fernández 90'+3'
- A. Mac Allister 111'
Players to watch
Lamine Yamal
Forward · Barcelona
The most exciting young player in world football, Yamal became the youngest scorer in Euros history at 16 and was central to Spain's Euro 2024 triumph. His combination of pace, balance, dribbling and creativity from the right makes him almost unplayable, and this World Cup stage is where he is expected to announce himself as the world's best.
Pedri
Midfielder · Barcelona
An exceptionally gifted central midfielder who controls the tempo and rhythm of games with poise beyond his years, Pedri has drawn comparisons to Iniesta and Xavi. His technical quality under pressure, vision and ability to pick the right pass in any situation make him the playmaking foundation upon which Spain build their beautiful football.
Rodri
Midfielder · Manchester City
The reigning Ballon d'Or winner and the best defensive midfielder in world football, Rodri provides the platform for Spain's attackers by controlling space and dictating the tempo. His passing range, tactical intelligence and ability to win possession cleanly make him arguably the most important single player in any team at this World Cup.
Group H table
Group H
Top 2 advance · best 3rds may qualify| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Spain | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | +5 | 7 |
| 2Cape Verde | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 3Uruguay | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | -1 | 2 |
| 4Saudi Arabia | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | -4 | 2 |