2026 World Cup Group H Guide: Teams, schedule, key player

Headlined by Spain, Group H features a surprise newcomer alongside familiar World Cup participants.

DAZN News takes a look at Group H, examining the teams, players and big games across the opening stage of World Cup 2026. 

World Cup Group Guides 

• Group A 
• Group B
• Group C
• Group D
• Group E
• Group F
• Group G
• Group H
• Group I
• Group J
• Group K
• Group L 

Group H - at a glance 

• Spain
• Cape Verde
• Saudi Arabia
• Uruguay

Fixtures

Predicted qualifiers

Spain should be heavily favoured to top the group, with Uruguay likely to edge past Saudi Arabia for second. However, given the ranking system on third sports, it's likely both could progress to the knockout stages.

The Teams

Spain

World Ranking: 1
Best World Cup result: Champions, 2010

La Roja need no introduction, as they are the current No. 1 team in the world and arguably the best national team of the century so far.

Blessed with top-end talent at every position, the Spanish will be expected to cruise to a deep run at this summer's World Cup. However, similar expectations were not met in recent editions of the tournament, and their exits in the Round of 16 from 2018 and 2022 would be considered a disappointment if they were to be replicated this year.

Spain eased into the top spot in their qualification group and will look to do the same in North America.

Key man - Lamine Yamal

If everything goes right, the 18-year-old Barcelona star could be in the running for both the Best Young Player and Golden Ball trophies. This is his stage to shine, as long as he gets over the injury that has ruled him out of the first two game. 

Manager - Luis de la Fuente 

After a solid, lengthy playing career in La Liga, De la Fuente transitioned into coaching with the youth teams of his former clubs Sevilla and Athletic Bilbao. He worked his way up the ranks at the latter before spending a few months in charge at Alavés. After that, De la Fuente coached Spain's youth international sides before taking the top job in 2022.

Getty Image

Cape Verde 

World Ranking: 67
Best World Cup: —

One of the surprising stories of the expanded World Cup, Cape Verde are set to make their debut on the biggest stage in the sport after a sparkling run through qualifying.

The Blue Sharks bested World Cup regulars Cameroon to top their qualification group and secure their place in North America, and now they are ready to make their bow on the world stage.

Key man - Ryan Mendes

Mendes may not be the best player on his team, but the 36-year-old embodies the spirit of the side with 92 caps to his name. Now an elder statesman, Mendes has kicked around the top two levels in France, Turkiye, UAE and even England in his career, and he'll look to put a feather in his cap with a strong World Cup performance. 

Manager - Bubista

Born Pedro Leitão Brito, Bubista is a former Cape Verde international who served two terms as the country's assistant manager before getting the top job in 2020.

Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images

Saudi Arabia

World Ranking: 61
Best World Cup: Round of 16, 1994

Saudi Arabia's back for a third straight World Cup after missing out in 2010 and 2014, and they have designs on moving past the group stage for the first time in over three decades.

The team took the long way to get to this summer's tournament, finishing third behind Japan and Australia in the third-round group stage of Asian qualifying before topping their three-team, fourth-round group over Iraq by virtue of the third tiebreaker.

The narrow margins they enjoyed for qualification will not deter the Saudi Arabians at the World Cup, as many of the same players who pulled off a massive group-stage upset over eventual champions Argentina at Qatar 2022 are back for another bite at the cherry.

Key man - Salem Al-Dawsari

The team's top active goalscorer, Al-Dawsari serves as the captain for Saudi Arabia and regional club power Al-Hilal. A vastly experienced player who can play in several positions, the 34-year-old will surely be at the center of everything his team has in attack.

Manager - Hervé Renard

Now in his second stint as Saudi Arabia manager, Renard brings a wealth of experience from coaching jobs at both the club and country levels. 

(C)Getty Images

Uruguay

World Ranking: 17
Best World Cup: Champions, 1930, 1950

Back for their 15th World Cup, the Uruguayans look to shake off a subpar performance at Qatar 2022 with a bright showing this summer.

Uruguay did not make it past the group stage four years ago, their worst showing since 2002. To recitify that, the South American side will rely on a player pool that features players from all over the globe as they look to regain their place among the world's elite.

Key man - Federico Valverde

The 27-year-old is at the peak of his powers as a starting midfielder for Real Madrid, and he will be relied upon to provide the same world class skill for his national team in North America.

Manager - Marcelo Bielsa

One of the most influential managers of all time, Bielsa has been in charge of Uruguay since 2023. At 70 years old, is there another bit of magic left in the highly-regarded Argentine?

Ian Maule/Getty Images

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