World Cup 2026 Group H: Spain · Cape Verde · Saudi Arabia · Uruguay

Group H is the draw that exposed the limits of the four-pot system. On paper, Spain are a Pot-1 side and Uruguay are a Pot-2 team, which means a World Champion and a Copa América holder were sorted into the same group — a combination pool logic was designed to prevent. Add Saudi Arabia, who shocked Argentina in Qatar, and Cape Verde making their World Cup debut, and you have the tournament's most unbalanced draw.

Spain are the favorites and, on current form, the most complete side in the tournament. Lamine Yamal turns 19 in 2026 and arrives off a 30+ goal season; Rodri anchors the most efficient midfield in international football; Unai Simón is elite. Uruguay, under Marcelo Bielsa, have rebuilt around Federico Valverde and Darwin Núñez and have the physical and tactical profile to beat any side on a given night.

Saudi Arabia's historic win over Argentina in 2022 was not a fluke — they are coached to execute a specific pressing plan against possession sides, exactly what Spain will bring. Cape Verde, meanwhile, make their first-ever World Cup appearance with a squad of European-based defenders and the goal-threat of Rylam Eru on the counter. They will be the most celebrated debutants in Miami and Atlanta, and not the easiest opponents for a Spain side expected to win every match.