Spain, the pre-tournament favorites, will open Group H with a match against Cape Verde, who will be playing in the World Cup for the first time.
Published June 14, 2026
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Who: Spain vs Cape Verde
Content: 2026 FIFA World Cup Group H matches
Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, USA
Date and time: Monday, 12pm local time (16:00 GMT)
How to follow: Catch all the live updates on Al Jazeera Sports
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Spain, the current European champions and strong favorites to win the 2026 World Cup, will begin their title challenge on Monday when they take on underdog Cape Verde in Atlanta.
Since winning their first world title in 2010, Spain endured disastrous defeats in the following three seasons, exiting in the group stage in 2014 and in the round of 16 in 2018 and 2022.
However, their success at Euro 2024 and the new golden generation of Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Gabi and Ferran Torres had led bookmakers to keep Spain at the top of their list of favorites.
Known for playing entertaining and attacking football, La Roja have become a force to be reckoned with over the past four years, going unbeaten in 30 games since losing 1-0 to Colombia in a friendly at Wembley in March 2024.
Spain will definitely be the team to beat in North America, with Opta’s supercomputer giving Spain a 15.94 percent chance of winning the title, with France a close second at 13.62 percent.
Will Yamal play in Spain vs. Cape Verde?
Yamal made headlines on his own two years ago in Germany en route to the Euro title, and will be hoping to repeat his form at the tournament, which runs from June 11 to July 19.
But the teenage sensation may have to wait a little longer to make his World Cup debut.
Spain could take a cautious approach ahead of the Cape Verde opener with winger Yamal and young forward Nico Williams in the final stages of recovery from a hamstring injury sustained in April.
Both players returned to training with their teammates on Thursday, but coach de la Fuente could choose to keep them on the bench or remove them from the match-day squad until they reach full fitness.
Cape Verde breaks new ground in North America
Known for its crystal clear waters and white sand beaches, Cape Verde is going to be buzzing this North American summer for a variety of reasons.
The archipelago, a group of 10 islands in the Atlantic Ocean, will make its World Cup debut on Monday, arriving at the global exhibition hall as one of 10 African nations to represent Africa.
After a fairy-tale qualification that coincided with the 50th anniversary of its independence from Portugal, Cape Verde, with a population of less than 600,000, entered the tournament as the third-smallest country in terms of population, after Iceland in 2018 and Curaçao, also in 2026.
The team has slowly built confidence in recent years. Their international breakthrough came in 2013, when they qualified for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time and reached the quarter-final stage.
Cape Verde has starters based in multiple countries, including Portugal, the Netherlands and the United States, spreading their national team all over the net.
Spain vs. Cape Verde predictions
Spain are favorites to win this match, with an 87.2% chance of taking the three points. Cape Verde’s probability of winning is only 4.8%, while the probability of a draw is 8.15%.
Overall, Spain have a 76.53% chance of winning Group H, which includes Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.
How can I watch Spain vs. Cape Verde?
Below is a list of broadcasters and platforms where you can watch the match in these countries.
Spain: LA 1, DAZN Mundial, RTVE Play Cape Verde: New World TV, SuperSport UK: ITVX, ITV1, STV Player, STV US: FOX, FOX One, Telemundo App, Telemundo Network, Peacock
