Who: Spain vs Uruguay
Content: 2026 FIFA World Cup Group H matches
Location: Guadalajara Stadium, Mexico
When: Friday, 6pm local time (00:00 GMT)
How to follow: All content will be broadcast on Al Jazeera Sports from 20:30 GMT, ahead of a live text commentary stream.
The only meeting between former FIFA World Cup winners in the group stage of this tournament will take place in the final round, which will be an important match for both Uruguay and Spain in Group H.
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Spain are at the top of the table with four points and would be guaranteed a place at the top of the table with a win, while Uruguay, although second, need at least one point to secure a place in the round of 32, with fairy tale Cape Verde still in with a chance to win their group.
Has Spain prepared for the knockout stages?
Although Spain dominated their first group game against Cape Verde, they were unable to increase possession or find a way to get past veteran keeper Bosinha, and were forced to settle for a 0-0 draw, raising eyebrows across the football world.
However, they bounced back brilliantly in the second match, defeating Saudi Arabia 4-0 and taking control of their fate in the finals.
“In the first game we weren’t really us. We were different, but now we’ve arrived and we’ll try harder,” said 18-year-old Lamine Yamal, who scored the opening goal after a hamstring injury prevented him from finishing his season at Barcelona and was limited to a cameo off the bench in the first game.
His team received a lot of criticism after the stalemate in the opening game, but after the second game coach Luis de la Fuente said, “It’s strange to have doubts about this team.”
“You may have good days, you may have bad days, you may have average days, but I think it’s unfair to question and doubt this generation of very young footballers who have bright futures,” he said.
Spain will be hoping to build on their win against Saudi Arabia against the South American side, and believe that a draw will ensure they remain top of the table and set up a round of 32 match against either Austria or Algeria.
Portugal are looming ahead, but there won’t be as much anxiety as there would be for the United States or Egypt heading into a potential match against France in the semi-finals.
Ramal is returning to fitness and Mikel Oyarzabal is on the brink of an interesting contest for the Golden Boot with a double against Saudi Arabia, but Spain will have to deal with the absence of Pedri due to suspension.
Bielsa regrets his mistake
Uruguay had high hopes of securing at least six points and progressing through Group H, but sloppy mistakes made them pay the price.
La Celeste had to survive a late 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia in their opening game and managed to pull ahead after conceding the inevitable first goal from a long-range free-kick against Cape Verde, but despite Uruguay’s late pressure they scored another disastrous goal to finish 2-2.
Manager Marcelo Bielsa said: “Any systematic mistakes are always the responsibility of the (head coach).”
“There is simply no magic recipe to fix them. Needless to say, we paid a very high price for those mistakes,” he added.
Darwin Nunez has made an impact off the bench, but it remains to be seen whether he chooses to tinker with personnel.
The fact that a draw would be enough to move them into third place is important, but Uruguay will be even more motivated to win until they realize what awaits them in the knockout stages if England finish top of Group L.
How will the World Cup group stage be played?
Group H includes Spain, Uruguay, Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia.
After the first two rounds of matches, Spain leads the group with four points, Uruguay are second with two points, ahead of Cape Verde on goal difference, and Saudi Arabia are fourth with one point.
The top two teams in each of the 12 groups and the top eight teams in third place will advance to the next round of 32. The Round of 32 was first introduced at the World Cup after the tournament expanded from 32 to 48 teams.
Spain needs one more point to secure top spot, but if Cape Verde can beat Saudi Arabia by more than four points, that scenario could give Spain a major overhaul on goal difference.
All four teams have a chance to advance to the finals, and three of them could advance to the last 32.
form guide
(From the past 5 games, latest results)
Spain: WWDDD
Uruguay: DDDDL
After a stalemate against Cape Verde, Spain defeated Saudi Arabia 4-0, becoming one of only four teams to keep a clean sheet at this World Cup. They won their final warm-up match against Peru 3-1 after draws with Iraq and Egypt.
After defeating the United States 5-1 in a warm-up match against England and Algeria, Uruguay lost the feeling of winning as they were beaten by Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia in the second group match.
Spain vs Uruguay predictions
Sports data expert Opta has calculated that Spain has a 62.2% chance of winning against Uruguay on Friday.
The South American team has a 15.8% chance of winning and a 22.1% chance of a draw.
direct confrontation
Spain are unbeaten in 10 meetings with Uruguay in the past 76 years, winning five and drawing in the remaining five.
The previous World Cup matches ended in a tie, 2-2 in 1950 and 0-0 in 1990. Their last meeting was in the 2013 Confederations Cup, with La Roja winning 2-1.
Uruguay vs Spain – Team News
With so much at stake, it’s unlikely either team will risk rotating too much despite the short turnaround between games.
The Spanish squad will be without Pedri after the 23-year-old Barcelona man was booked for both of the opening group games, meaning Luis de la Fuente will have to make adjustments in midfield.
Uruguay side Bielsa remains without key defender Ronald Araujo and attacking midfielder Jorgean de Arrascaeta, but could be tempted to shuffle his squad after two disappointing draws.
Uruguay’s predicted eleven: Muslera (goalkeeper). Barrera, Olivera, Cáceres, Sanabria; Bentancur, Ugarte. Canobbio, Valverde, and M. Araujo. Nuñez.
Spain’s predicted eleven: Simon (goalkeeper). Polo, Kvarsi, Laporte, Cucurella. Rhodri. Luis, Olmo. Yamal, Oyarzabal, Williams.
