Spain are the clear favourites in Group H, but Uruguay’s Valverde-led side belong in the second-place conversation — and Lamine Yamal’s fitness adds intrigue to the opener.
On paper it is one of the more lopsided groups in the draw. Look again, and Group H carries one of the tournament's better second-place scraps. Spain arrive as overwhelming favourites; Uruguay, Saudi Arabia and debutants Cape Verde Islands fight over what is left.
The group runs from June 15 to 26 (Sky Sports).
As the world's No. 2-ranked nation and reigning European champions, Spain are among the handful of genuine candidates to win the whole thing (Sky Sports). Pedri pulls the strings in his second World Cup, Rodri anchors the midfield, and 18-year-old Lamine Yamal — a Euro 2024 winner already — is the box-office name.
The one cloud is Yamal's fitness. He injured his left hamstring converting a penalty for Barcelona on April 22, and while coach Luis de la Fuente expects him available for the opener, he has been careful not to commit (ESPN). "If nothing changes, he could be ready to play on June 15," de la Fuente said. "It doesn't mean that for sure he will play."
!If nothing changes, he could be ready to play on June 15. It doesn't mean that for sure he will play.
We track that situation in full in our Yamal fitness piece.
Uruguay are the reason second place is not a formality. Federico Valverde has become arguably the most complete South American at club level — a box-to-box engine who covers every blade of grass and delivers in the decisive moment (Sky Sports). Crucially, they beat Brazil in qualifying, proof they can live with elite opposition.
A draw with Spain and wins over the rest would likely be enough to top the group or, at minimum, sail through in second.
Saudi Arabia will be organised and hard to break down, while Cape Verde's arrival on the biggest stage is one of the feel-good stories of the tournament — a tiny island nation among the 48.
The smart route for both is the same: stay tight, take a point off each other, and chase one of the eight best third-placed spots that the expanded format hands out.
| Team | Realistic ceiling |
|---|---|
| Spain | Group winners, title contenders |
| Uruguay | Second place, deep run |
| Saudi Arabia | Best-third shot |
| Cape Verde | Spoilers, historic point |
Spain to top it, Uruguay to follow, and a fascinating fight for any best-third lifeline behind them. If Yamal is firing, this group could be over as a contest very quickly.
Compare the contenders in our winner prediction, read the bull case in why Spain can win, and set your picks on the predictions page.
Kickoff XI is an independent publication and is not affiliated with FIFA.
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