Group H

Spain's Coronation Tour

Venues: Atlanta, Miami, Houston, Guadalajara

The Group

Group H is, on paper, the most lopsided group of the tournament. Spain arrive ranked second in the world, carrying the European Championship, the Nations League and the Olympic gold from Paris 2024. Luis de la Fuente's side posted a W5, D1 record in qualifying, scoring 21 goals and conceding just two, the only brace shipped was a consolation draw with Türkiye after Spain had already booked their ticket. Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams are nursing late-season knocks, which adds a faint wrinkle to Matchday 1 against Cabo Verde, but Spain's depth is absurd. Rodri is back, Pedri is rejuvenated under Hansi Flick, and Mikel Oyarzabal scored six times in six qualifying starts. Uruguay are the only genuine challengers. Marcelo Bielsa has rebuilt La Celeste around Federico Valverde, Ronald Araújo and José María Giménez, but the loss of Giorgian de Arrascaeta to injury stings, and a 5-1 friendly hiding at the hands of the USA is not easily forgotten. They'll fancy their chances against Saudi Arabia and Cabo Verde; getting anything from Spain on the final day in Guadalajara is another matter. Saudi Arabia are a mess. Coach Hervé Renard resigned just two months out, Georgios Donis inherited a squad that went 0 wins across its last five pre-tournament matches, conceding 9 and scoring 2. Cabo Verde arrive as genuine first-timers, a nation of 525,000 people reaching a World Cup for the first time, and while their defensive organisation deserves respect, the gap in class is real. Spain at -310 to win the group is short. The overs in Spain's first two games offer the actual value here.