2026 FIFA World Cup Group H

Group H of the 2026 FIFA World Cup took place from June 15 to 26, 2026.[1] The group consisted of Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay.

Spain finished at the top of the group with two group game wins, allowing them to advance to the round of 32, where they defeated multiple teams in the knockout stage and became champions of this World Cup.

Cape Verde finished as runners-up after drawing all three of its group matches, becoming the first World Cup debutant (and the smallest nation) to advance to the knockout stage since Slovakia in 2010.

Uruguay finished third in the group and were eliminated, as their performance meant it would be impossible for them to be among the top eight third-place teams. Saudi Arabia finished fourth based on goal difference, and were also eliminated.[2]

Teams

Draw position Team Pot Confederation Method of
qualification		 Date of
qualification		 Finals
appearance		 Last
appearance		 Previous best
performance		 FIFA Rankings[3][4]
November 2025[nb 1] June 2026
H1 Spain1UEFAUEFA Group E winnerNovember 18, 202517th2022Winner (2010)12
H2 Cape Verde4CAFCAF Group D winnerOctober 13, 20251st——6867
H3 Saudi Arabia3AFCAFC fourth round Group B winnerOctober 14, 20257th2022Round of 16 (1994)6061
H4 Uruguay2CONMEBOLCONMEBOL round robin fourth placeSeptember 4, 202515th2022Winner (1930, 1950)1616

Notes

  1. ↑ The rankings of November 2025 were used for seeding for the final draw.[5]

Standings

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Spain 3 2 1 0 5 0 +5 7 Advance to knockout stage
2  Cape Verde 3 0 3 0 2 2 0 3
3  Uruguay 3 0 2 1 3 4 −1 2[a]
4  Saudi Arabia 3 0 2 1 1 5 −4 2[a]
Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers
Notes:
  1. 1 2 Tied on head-to-head result (Saudi Arabia 1–1 Uruguay). Overall goal difference was used as the tiebreaker.

In the round of 32:[2]

Matches

All times listed are local.[1]

Spain vs Cape Verde

The teams had never met before. The fixture marked Cape Verde's debut at the FIFA World Cup. The country was the third-smallest by population to qualify for the tournament, before Curaçao achieved qualification.

In the first half Spain's Ferran Torres hit the bar with a shot from close range after a header back from Marc Cucurella on the left. In the second half Mikel Oyarzabal had a shot blocked by Pico.[6] Late on Diney almost put Cape Verde into the lead when he headed a corner straight at Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simón with the game finishing 0–0 and producing one of the biggest shocks of the World Cup, with Vozinha as the Man of the Match for making seven saves in his World Cup debut.[7][8]

Cape Verde committed a single foul during this game, the fewest in a FIFA World Cup match since data collection began in 1966.[9][10]

Spain 0–0 Cape Verde
[Report 1]
Attendance: 67,640
Spain[11]
Cape Verde[11]
GK23Unai Simón
RB5Marcos Llorente
CB22Pau Cubarsí
CB14Aymeric Laporte
LB24Marc Cucurella
DM16Rodri (c)downward-facing red arrow 87'
CM20PedriYellow card 90+3'
CM8Fabián Ruizdownward-facing red arrow 71'
RF7Ferran Torresdownward-facing red arrow 81'
CF21Mikel Oyarzabal
LF9Gavidownward-facing red arrow 71'
Substitutions:
MF6Mikel Merinoupward-facing green arrow 71'
FW19Lamine Yamalupward-facing green arrow 71'
FW10Dani Olmoupward-facing green arrow 81'
FW17Nico Williamsupward-facing green arrow 87'
Manager:
Luis de la Fuente
GK1Vozinha
RB22Steven Moreira
CB4Pico
CB3Diney
LB13Sidny Lopes CabralYellow card 16'downward-facing red arrow 76'
DM6Kevin Pina
CM15Laros Duartedownward-facing red arrow 61'
CM10Jamiro Monteirodownward-facing red arrow 79'
RF20Ryan Mendes (c)
CF19Dailon Livramentodownward-facing red arrow 61'
LF7Jovane Cabraldownward-facing red arrow 61'
Substitutions:
MF21Nuno da Costaupward-facing green arrow 61'
MF17Willy Semedoupward-facing green arrow 61'
MF14Deroy Duarteupward-facing green arrow 61'
MF8João Pauloupward-facing green arrow 76'
MF18Telmo Arcanjoupward-facing green arrow 79'
Manager:
Bubista

Man of the Match:
Vozinha (Cape Verde)[12]

Assistant referees:[11]
Mohammad Al-Kalaf (Jordan)
Ahmad Al-Roalle (Jordan)
Fourth official:
Andrés Rojas (Colombia)
Reserve assistant referee:
Alexander Guzmán (Colombia)
Video assistant referee:
Joe Dickerson (United States)
Assistant video assistant referee:
Khamis Al-Marri (Qatar)
Support video assistant referee:
Fu Ming (China)

Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay

Pre-match ceremony between Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.

The teams had previously faced each other thrice, most recently in Uruguay's 1–0 win at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.[13]

In the 41st minute, Saudi Arabia went in front, Hassan Al-Tambakti's header from a corner on the right was parried out by Uruguay keeper Fernando Muslera where Abdulelah Al-Amri finished the rebound with his right foot to the net from close range. With ten minutes to go, Maximiliano Araújo scored for Uruguay with a shot from the left after Mohammed Al-Owais had initially made a save to make it 1–1, which also became the final result of the affair.[14]

Saudi Arabia 1–1 Uruguay
 [Report 2]
Attendance: 62,764
Saudi Arabia[15]
Uruguay[15]
GK21Mohammed Al-Owais
RB12Saud Abdulhamiddownward-facing red arrow 90+3'
CB5Hassan Al-Tambakti
CB4Abdulelah Al-AmriYellow card 44'
LB24Moteb Al-Harbidownward-facing red arrow 90+3'
RM26Mohammed Abu Al-Shamatdownward-facing red arrow 81'
CM23Mohamed Kanno
CM15Abdullah Al-Khaibari
LM10Salem Al-Dawsari (c)
CF9Firas Al-Buraikandownward-facing red arrow 90+3'
CF7Musab Al-Juwayrdownward-facing red arrow 63'
Substitutions:
MF6Nasser Al-Dawsariupward-facing green arrow 63'
DF13Nawaf Boushalupward-facing green arrow 81'
DF3Ali Lajamiupward-facing green arrow 90+3'
MF18Alaa Al-Hejjiupward-facing green arrow 90+3'
FW19Abdullah Al-Hamdanupward-facing green arrow 90+3'
Manager:
Greece Georgios Donis
GK23Fernando Muslera
RB13Guillermo Varela
CB3Sebastián Cáceres
CB16Mathías Olivera
LB17Matías Viñadownward-facing red arrow 46'
RM8Federico Valverde (c)
CM5Manuel Ugartedownward-facing red arrow 72'
CM6Rodrigo Bentancur
LM20Maximiliano Araújodownward-facing red arrow 81'
CF21Federico Viñasdownward-facing red arrow 90'
CF9Darwin Núñezdownward-facing red arrow 46'
Substitutions:
MF14Agustín Canobbioupward-facing green arrow 46'
MF25Juan Manuel Sanabriaupward-facing green arrow 46'
MF7Nicolás de la Cruzupward-facing green arrow 72'
MF18Brian Rodríguezupward-facing green arrow 81'
FW19Rodrigo Aguirreupward-facing green arrow 90'
Manager:
Argentina Marcelo Bielsa

Man of the Match:
Federico Valverde (Uruguay)[12]

Assistant referees:[15]
Daniele Bindoni (Italy)
Alberto Tegoni (Italy)
Fourth official:
Drew Fischer (Canada)
Reserve assistant referee:
Micheal Barwegen (Canada)
Video assistant referee:
Marco Di Bello (Italy)
Assistant video assistant referee:
Ivan Bebek (Croatia)
Support video assistant referee:
Jérôme Brisard (France)

Spain vs Saudi Arabia

The teams had met three times, including their first encounter in Spain's 1–0 group stage victory at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.[16] Spain won all matches, most recently a 5–0 friendly in 2012.[17]

The fixture was Saudi Arabia's worst defeat at the World Cup since their 5−0 loss to hosts Russia in 2018, and their third-largest defeat in tournament history, tied with their 4–0 losses against hosts France in 1998 and Ukraine in 2006.

Spain 4–0 Saudi Arabia
 [Report 3]
Attendance: 68,239
Spain[18]
Saudi Arabia[18]
GK23Unai Simón
RB12Pedro Porro
CB22Pau Cubarsí
CB14Aymeric Laporte
LB24Marc Cucurella
DM16Rodri (c)
CM20Pedridownward-facing red arrow 70'
CM10Dani Olmodownward-facing red arrow 61'
RF19Lamine Yamaldownward-facing red arrow 46'
CF21Mikel Oyarzabaldownward-facing red arrow 46'
LF15Álex Baenadownward-facing red arrow 61'
Substitutions:
FW7Ferran Torresupward-facing green arrow 46'
FW11Yéremy Pinoupward-facing green arrow 46'
MF6Mikel Merinoupward-facing green arrow 61'
FW17Nico Williamsupward-facing green arrow 61'
MF8Fabián Ruizupward-facing green arrow 70'
Manager:
Luis de la Fuente
GK21Mohammed Al-Owais
CB4Abdulelah Al-Amridownward-facing red arrow 60'
CB3Ali Lajami
CB5Hassan Al-Tambakti
RWB12Saud Abdulhamid
LWB24Moteb Al-Harbi
RM7Musab Al-Juwayrdownward-facing red arrow 46'
CM15Abdullah Al-Khaibaridownward-facing red arrow 46'
CM6Nasser Al-Dawsaridownward-facing red arrow 90'
LM10Salem Al-Dawsari (c)Yellow card 30'
CF9Firas Al-Buraikandownward-facing red arrow 60'
Substitutions:
MF23Mohamed KannoYellow card 60'upward-facing green arrow 46'
FW19Abdullah Al-Hamdanupward-facing green arrow 46'
DF26Mohammed Abu Al-Shamatupward-facing green arrow 60'
MF18Alaa Al-Hejjiupward-facing green arrow 60'
FW17Khalid Al-Ghannamupward-facing green arrow 90'
Manager:
Greece Georgios Donis

Man of the Match:
Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain)[12]

Assistant referees:[18]
Danilo Manis (Brazil)
Rodrigo Figueiredo (Brazil)
Fourth official:
Andrés Rojas (Colombia)
Reserve assistant referee:
Alexander Guzmán (Colombia)
Video assistant referee:
Nicolás Gallo (Colombia)
Assistant video assistant referee:
Erick Miranda (Mexico)
Support video assistant referee:
Guillermo Pacheco (Mexico)

Uruguay vs Cape Verde

Hard Rock Stadium during the match.

The two teams had never met before.

In the 21st minute, Kevin Pina scored with a low long range right footed free-kick from 30 yards that went through the middle of the defensive wall and into the bottom right corner of the net, it was the first ever goal for Cape Verde in the World Cup Finals. Maximiliano Araújo made it 1–1 the 44th minute when he dived low to head to the net from close range after Sidny Lopes Cabral had headed against his own post.[19] In first-half stoppage time, Agustín Canobbio put Uruguay into a 2–1 lead when he finished low to the net from six yards out after a headed pass from Araújo from the left.

In the 61st minute it was 2–2 when a mistake by Mathías Olivera trying to play the ball across his own box allowed Hélio Varela to intercept and touch the ball to the side of Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera before side footing into the empty net from outside the penalty area on the right.[20]

Uruguay 2–2 Cape Verde
 [Report 4]
Attendance: 64,003
Referee: Espen Eskås (Norway)
Uruguay[21]
Cape Verde[21]
GK23Fernando Muslera
RB13Guillermo Varela
CB3Sebastián Cáceres
CB16Mathías OliveraYellow card 58'
LB25Juan Manuel Sanabria
DM5Manuel Ugartedownward-facing red arrow 70'
CM6Rodrigo BentancurYellow card 20'
CM8Federico Valverde (c)
RF14Agustín Canobbio
CF21Federico Viñasdownward-facing red arrow 70'
LF20Maximiliano Araújodownward-facing red arrow 81'
Substitutions:
MF7Nicolás de la Cruzupward-facing green arrow 70'
FW9Darwin Núñezupward-facing green arrow 70'
MF18Brian Rodríguezupward-facing green arrow 81'
Manager:
Argentina Marcelo Bielsa
GK1Vozinha
RB22Steven Moreira
CB4Pico
CB3DineyYellow card 90+3'
LB13Sidny Lopes CabralYellow card 5'
DM6Kevin Pinadownward-facing red arrow 70'
CM20Ryan Mendes (c)
CM10Jamiro Monteirodownward-facing red arrow 80'
RF18Telmo Arcanjodownward-facing red arrow 46'
CF9Gilson Benchimoldownward-facing red arrow 58'
LF11Garry Rodriguesdownward-facing red arrow 58'
Substitutions:
MF14Deroy Duarteupward-facing green arrow 46'
MF26Hélio Varelaupward-facing green arrow 58'
FW21Nuno da Costaupward-facing green arrow 58'
MF15Laros Duarteupward-facing green arrow 70'
MF16Yannick Semedoupward-facing green arrow 80'
Manager:
Bubista

Man of the Match:
Kevin Pina (Cape Verde)[12]

Assistant referees:[21]
Jan Erik Engan (Norway)
Isaak Bashevkin (Norway)
Fourth official:
Tori Penso (United States)
Reserve assistant referee:
Brooke Mayo (United States)
Video assistant referee:
Willy Delajod (France)
Assistant video assistant referee:
Jérôme Brisard (France)
Support video assistant referee:
Dennis Higler (Netherlands)

Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia

During the match between Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia.

The two teams had never met before.

This result makes Cape Verde the first debutant to qualify past the group stage since Slovakia in 2010, and the first team to do so by drawing all three games since Chile in 1998. Additionally, they are only one of four debutants in the tournament to secure a spot in the round of 32.

In contrast, Saudi Arabia finished bottom of their group for the second consecutive World Cup, resulting in their elimination.

Cape Verde 0–0 Saudi Arabia
[Report 5]
Attendance: 68,278
Cape Verde[22]
Saudi Arabia[22]
GK1Vozinha
RB24Wagner PinaYellow card 8'downward-facing red arrow 90+4'
CB4Pico
CB3Diney
LB8João Paulo
DM6Kevin Pina
CM14Deroy Duarte
CM10Jamiro Monteirodownward-facing red arrow 71'
RF20Ryan Mendes (c)downward-facing red arrow 71'
CF19Dailon Livramentodownward-facing red arrow 61'
LF17Willy Semedodownward-facing red arrow 61'
Substitutions:
FW21Nuno da Costaupward-facing green arrow 61'
MF26Hélio Varelaupward-facing green arrow 61'
MF15Laros Duarteupward-facing green arrow 71'
MF11Garry Rodriguesupward-facing green arrow 71'
DF22Steven Moreiraupward-facing green arrow 90+4'
Manager:
Bubista
GK21Mohammed Al-Owais
RB12Saud AbdulhamidYellow card 4'
CB4Abdulelah Al-Amri
CB5Hassan Al-Tambaktidownward-facing red arrow 33'
LB13Nawaf Boushaldownward-facing red arrow 82'
RM20Sultan Mandashdownward-facing red arrow 65'
CM15Abdullah Al-Khaibaridownward-facing red arrow 46'
CM6Nasser Al-DawsariYellow card 67'
LM10Salem Al-Dawsari (c)downward-facing red arrow 65'
CF9Firas Al-BuraikanYellow card 90+3'
CF23Mohamed Kanno
Substitutions:
DF3Ali Lajamiupward-facing green arrow 33'
MF7Musab Al-Juwayrupward-facing green arrow 46'
DF26Mohammed Abu Al-Shamatupward-facing green arrow 65'
FW19Abdullah Al-Hamdanupward-facing green arrow 65'
DF24Moteb Al-Harbiupward-facing green arrow 82'
Manager:
Greece Georgios Donis

Man of the Match:
Deroy Duarte (Cape Verde)[12]

Assistant referees:[22]
Cyril Mugnier (France)
Mehdi Rahmouni (France)
Fourth official:
Abongile Tom (South Africa)
Reserve assistant referee:
Zakhele Siwela (South Africa)
Video assistant referee:
Marco Di Bello (Italy)
Assistant video assistant referee:
Willy Delajod (France)
Support video assistant referee:
Joe Dickerson (United States)

Uruguay vs Spain

The teams had previously met ten times, including twice in the World Cup: a 2–2 final round draw in 1950 and a 0–0 group stage draw in 1990.[23] Their latest encounter was Spain's 2–1 group stage victory at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup to keep their unbeaten head to head record.[24] This was the only match in Group H played outside of the United States. Both teams returned to Mexican soil since the 1986 edition.

Uruguay's Agustín Canobbio was sent off with a straight red card. In addition, their 1–0 defeat marked the Uruguayan team's second consecutive exit from the group stage, and made it the sole South American team to fail to advance to the round of 32.

Uruguay 0–1 Spain
[Report 6]
Attendance: 45,065
Uruguay[25]
Spain[25]
GK23Fernando Musleradownward-facing red arrow 46'
RB13Guillermo VarelaYellow card 58'
CB3Sebastián Cáceres
CB16Mathías Olivera
LB25Juan Manuel SanabriaYellow card 54'downward-facing red arrow 70'
DM5Manuel Ugartedownward-facing red arrow 45'
CM6Rodrigo Bentancur
CM8Federico Valverde (c)downward-facing red arrow 56'
RF14Agustín CanobbioRed card 90+4'
CF9Darwin Núñez
LF20Maximiliano Araújo
Substitutions:
MF7Nicolás de la CruzYellow card 90+3'upward-facing green arrow 45'
GK1Sergio Rochetupward-facing green arrow 46'
FW21Federico Viñasupward-facing green arrow 56'
MF18Brian Rodríguezupward-facing green arrow 70'
Manager:
Argentina Marcelo Bielsa
GK23Unai Simón
RB5Marcos Llorente
CB22Pau Cubarsí
CB14Aymeric Laporte
LB24Marc Cucurella
DM16Rodri (c)
CM6Mikel Merinodownward-facing red arrow 60'
CM20Pedridownward-facing red arrow 60'
RF19Lamine Yamaldownward-facing red arrow 76'
CF21Mikel Oyarzabaldownward-facing red arrow 76'
LF15Álex BaenaYellow card 46'downward-facing red arrow 66'
Substitutions:
MF10Dani Olmoupward-facing green arrow 60'
MF8Fabián Ruizupward-facing green arrow 60'
MF11Yéremy Pinoupward-facing green arrow 66'
FW17Nico Williamsupward-facing green arrow 76'
FW7Ferran Torresupward-facing green arrow 76'
Manager:
Luis de la Fuente

Man of the Match:
Álex Baena (Spain)[12]

Assistant referees:[25]
Corey Parker (United States)
Kyle Atkins (United States)
Fourth official:
Juan Gabriel Calderón (Costa Rica)
Reserve assistant referee:
Juan Carlos Mora (Costa Rica)
Video assistant referee:
Tatiana Guzmán (Nicaragua)
Assistant video assistant referee:
Armando Villarreal (United States)
Support video assistant referee:
Khamis Al-Marri (Qatar)

Discipline

The team conduct ("fair play") score would have been used as a tiebreaker if the head-to-head and overall records of teams were tied. It would also be used as a tiebreaker for the third-place ranking between groups if the overall records of teams were tied. The score was calculated based on yellow and red cards received by players and team officials in all group matches as follows:[2]

  • yellow card: −1 point;
  • indirect red card (second yellow card): −3 points;
  • direct red card: −4 points;
  • yellow card and direct red card: −5 points;

Only one of the above deductions could be applied to a player or team official in a single match.

Team Match 1 Match 2 Match 3 Score
Yellow card Yellow card Yellow-red card Red card Yellow card Red card Yellow card Yellow card Yellow-red card Red card Yellow card Red card Yellow card Yellow card Yellow-red card Red card Yellow card Red card
 Spain 1 1 −2
 Cape Verde 1 2 1 −4
 Saudi Arabia 1 2 3 −6
 Uruguay 2 31 −9

References

  1. 1 2 "FIFA World Cup 26 – Match Schedule" (PDF). FIFA. February 4, 2024. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 "FIFA World Cup 2026 Regulations" (PDF). FIFA. May 2025. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 23, 2025. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  3. ↑ "FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking (19 November 2025)". FIFA. November 19, 2025. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
  4. ↑ "FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking (11 June 2026)". FIFA. June 11, 2026. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Draw Procedures for the FIFA World Cup 2026" (PDF). FIFA. November 25, 2025. Retrieved November 25, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Spain shocked by Cape Verde, draw 0–0 in their World Cup opener". ESPN. June 15, 2026. Retrieved June 16, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Spain 0 Cape Verde 0". BBC Sport. June 15, 2026. Retrieved June 16, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Pico Lopes stars as World Cup debutants Cape Verde claim famous draw against Spain". RTE Sport. June 15, 2026. Retrieved June 16, 2026.
  9. ↑ Tweedale, Ali (June 15, 2026). "How Cape Verde Frustrated Spain to Pull Off One of the World Cup's Biggest Ever Shocks". Opta Analyst. Retrieved July 22, 2026.
  10. ↑ Harris, Thom (July 3, 2026). "How Cape Verde shocked Spain: One foul, a block defence and tracking runners". The New York Times. Retrieved July 22, 2026.
  11. 1 2 3 "Tactical Line-up – Group H – Spain v. Cabo Verde" (PDF). FIFA. June 15, 2026. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match – every winner". FIFA. June 12, 2026. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Saudi Arabia national football team: record v Uruguay". 11v11.com. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  14. ↑ "Saudi Arabia 1 Uruguay 1". BBC Sport. June 15, 2026. Retrieved June 17, 2026.
  15. 1 2 3 "Tactical Line-up – Group H – Saudi Arabia v. Uruguay" (PDF). FIFA. June 15, 2026. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
  16. ↑ "Spain vs. Saudi Arabia Head-to-Head in the World Cups". The Soccer World Cups. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  17. ↑ "Spain national football team: record v Saudi Arabia". 11v11.com. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  18. 1 2 3 "Tactical Line-up – Group H – Spain v. Saudi Arabia" (PDF). FIFA. June 21, 2026. Retrieved June 21, 2026.
  19. ↑ "Cape Verde impress again to earn a draw with Uruguay". RTE Sport. June 21, 2026. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
  20. ↑ "Urugua 2 Cape Verde 2". BBC Sport. June 21, 2026. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
  21. 1 2 3 "Tactical Line-up – Group H – Uruguay v. Cabo Verde" (PDF). FIFA. June 21, 2026. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
  22. 1 2 3 "Tactical Line-up – Group H – Cabo Verde v. Saudi Arabia" (PDF). FIFA. June 26, 2026. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
  23. ↑ "Uruguay vs. Spain Head-to-Head in the World Cups". The Soccer World Cups. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  24. ↑ "Uruguay national football team: record v Spain". 11v11.com. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  25. 1 2 3 "Tactical Line-up – Group H – Uruguay v. Spain" (PDF). FIFA. June 26, 2026. Retrieved June 26, 2026.

Match reports

  1. ↑
  2. ↑
  3. ↑
  4. ↑
  5. ↑
  6. ↑
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