European champion Spain and South American powerhouse Uruguay will highlight Group H of the World Cup. This group also includes a team from Saudi Arabia. Upset Lionel Messi’s Argentina 4 years ago, I was small new cape verde.
The most anticipated only group game outside the United States is Uruguay vs. Spain on June 26 in Guadalajara, Mexico. The only previous World Cup matches between former champions were draws in 1950 and 1990.
Two games will be played in Atlanta, both involving Spain. The remaining two matches involving Uruguay will take place in Miami.
Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia will meet in the only group game in Houston.
Spain
Spain comes from behind in the round of 16 Exclusion by Morocco at the 2022 World Cup Euro 2024 winner In Germany. La Roja too Won the Nations League in 2023and it was The runner-up is Portugal in the 2025 Nations League.
Spain have not advanced beyond the last 16 at a World Cup since winning their only world title in 2010.
The team has so far Director Luis de la FuenteThe former Spanish youth coach has been in charge since Luis Enrique stepped down after the 2022 World Cup.
Three Barcelona players will lead the team. Attacking, 18 years old Lamine Yamal He will be making his World Cup debut. 19 years old Pau Kubalsi He was assigned to lead the defense. and Pedri He will anchor a midfield that is likely to include players from Manchester City. Rodri After a long hiatus due to a knee injury.
cape verde
Cape Verde, with a population of about 500,000, is the third smallest country to qualify for the World Cup, after Iceland and the smallest country ever, Curaçao.
The archipelago of 10 volcanic islands off Africa’s west coast secured one of Africa’s nine automatic spots from a group that also includes continental powerhouses Cameroon and Angola. The Blue Sharks won all five of their home games during qualifying without conceding a goal.
The country has been coached by Pedro Leitao Brito, known as Buvista, since 2020. Bubista, a former national team captain and defender, played for small clubs in Spain and Portugal.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia will be participating in the World Cup for the third consecutive year. In 2022, they defeated eventual champion Argentina 2-1 in the group stage in Qatar and became a hot topic.
Saudi Arabia has boosted its domestic league by acquiring the following players. Cristiano Ronaldo and karim benzemaHe contributed to improving the quality of the national team, coached by Frenchman Hervé Renard.
Renard coached the French women’s team at the 2022 World Cup before stepping down and returning. lead the saudi arabians In 2024.
Saudi Arabia made its first appearance at the World Cup in 1994, achieving its best result at the World Cup, advancing to the last 16 from a group that included the Netherlands, Belgium and Morocco. Since then, they have not made it past the group stage in five World Cups.
Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup.
Uruguay
Two-time world champions Uruguay finished fourth in the South American qualifier behind Argentina, Ecuador and Colombia, ahead of five-time world champion Brazil.
After reaching the quarterfinals in 2018 and the semifinals in 2010, they failed to make it past the group stage four years ago.
Uruguay will be coached by a veteran Argentine coach. marcelo bielsaHe has been criticized recently after a string of lackluster performances in friendly matches. Lost to America 5-1 In November. His team hasn’t won in their last four games.
Top players include Real Madrid’s central midfielder federico valverdebarcelona center back Ronald Araujo and Manchester United defensive midfielder Manuel Ugarte.
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AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
