From one of the tournament favorites in Spain to one of its minnows in Cape Verde, Group H looks fairly straightforward. Of course, that doesn’t mean it will be.
The Post previews Group H at the World Cup.
Teams listed in predicted order of finish. * indicates third-place team predicted to advance to the knockout stage.
Spain
Odds to win the group: -475
What you need to know: After a European Championship in 2024, a Nations League final appearance in 2025 and an undefeated run through World Cup qualifying, Spain is coming to America as one of the favorites to win the whole thing. While superstar midfielder Rodri’s fitness has been an ongoing concern, he appears on pace to be fine for the World Cup, giving Spain its connective tissue. Add him to a group that features so much attacking talent — Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal, Pedri, Dani Olmo, Nico Williams — along with one of the best goalkeeping groups in the world and you see why expectations are so high.
How they play: Manager Luis de la Fuente likes Spain to play with the ball. When they lose it, expect a high press to try and get it back as fast as possible, and when they have it, expect a high defensive line that can leave Spain susceptible to counterattacks. With Yamal and Williams on either wing, Spain tends to control games from wide areas.
Star player: Yamal, just 18 years old, had a breakout tournament two years ago at the Euros and looks like a future Ballon d’Or winner. (Rodri won the award in 2024, but injuries have hampered him since.) Yamal’s playmaking and creativity — as well as a proven big-game record at such a young age — are where his brilliance shines through most.
World Cup history: Spain was the team of the early 2010s, winning the World Cup in South Africa for its first title, as well as European Championships in 2008 and 2012. Since then, they’ve been mostly disappointing on the world’s biggest stage, with a group-stage exit in 2014 followed by upset Round of 16 defeats in each of the past two World Cups. Their win at Euro 2024 has the country hoping this year can be different.
Saudi Arabia
Odds: 30/1
What you need to know: Hervé Renard, one of the best characters of the 2022 World Cup, is back in the managerial post for Saudi Arabia after having left in 2023. There aren’t many recognizable names on Saudi Arabia’s roster — most of its players are based in the country’s domestic league — but the injection of money into the Saudi Pro League has raised its level considerably. Qualification was rocky, with the Green Falcons requiring goal differential to make it through, but a famous 2022 upset of Argentina is proof that they can punch above their weight.
How they play: Renard sets his team up in a 4-3-3, plays a high press and uses a well-drilled offside trap. Much of the squad plays for either Al Hilal or Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, and therefore has well-established chemistry at the club level. With the ball, Saudi Arabia likes to play through its wingers.
Star player: Winger Salem Al-Dawsari is 34 and approaching the end of his career, but remains Saudi Arabia’s captain and centerpiece. Expect Saudi Arabia to try to play through Al-Dawsari on the left side, as he is a strong playmaker who can still come up with a burst of speed when needed.
World Cup history: Expectations are rising around Saudi Arabia ahead of the 2034 World Cup, which the country will host. Though Saudi Arabia has been a regular presence at the competition for over 30 years, it has advanced beyond the group stage just once, all the way back in its first appearance in 1994. Breaking that streak is an obvious goal this year.
Uruguay*
Odds: +400
What you need to know: Uruguay suffered winless international windows in November and March, the low point of which was a 5-1 defeat against the United States, and manager Marcelo Bielsa has — to the surprise of no one — become a polarizing figure in the job. As is usually the case with Bielsa-led sides, you can see the vision, and Uruguay has plenty of talent. It’s just a question of whether it will all work.
How they play: Bielsa’s teams play a distinct style: always running hard, always pressing, high intensity, constant motion. It doesn’t work for everyone, and Bielsa’s impromptu 105-minute news conference after the loss to the U.S. in November was something of an inflection point in his tenure managing Uruguay. Whatever happens at this World Cup, it’s a safe bet that Bielsa will be a compelling story.
Star player: Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde is Uruguay’s best player, and his box-to-box style should work well under Bielsa’s tutelage. A confrontation between Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni at a Real Madrid training session in May that ended in Valverde being hospitalized became a blockbuster story in Spain, and could lead to his eventual exit from the club.
World Cup history: Champions in the inaugural 1930 World Cup and again in 1950, Uruguay has a proud history at the competition of punching above its weight. A group-stage exit in 2022 marked a recent low point, and a similar failure this year would be disastrous.
Cape Verde
Odds: 60/1
What you need to know: No prizes for guessing that Cape Verde is one of the biggest underdogs in the tournament. After qualifying, the African country was the smallest in history to do so — for five weeks until Curaçao broke its record. Manager Pedro Brito, known as “Bubista,” has built a team with a clear identity that’s willing to take the initiative, even against bigger, better opponents. Still, Cape Verde will be huge a underdog in all of its games.
How they play: Bubista likes to set up in a 4-2-3-1 and have his team on the ball. Cape Verde won’t sit back and try to play for 0-0 draws; it will be aggressive and play with a nothing-to-lose attitude. Whether the Blue Sharks will actually be able to do this against teams such as Spain and Uruguay is another question.
Star player: Steven Moreira, Cape Verde’s right back and an MLS All-Star two years ago, has a strong case to be the country’s most accomplished player at the club level. The strength of this team, though, is the passion with which it plays, allowing Cape Verde to be more than the sum of its parts.
World Cup history: This is the first World Cup appearance for the island nation with a population of just over half a million. A stunning 1-0 win over Cameroon was the high point of Cape Verde’s qualifying campaign.
Group H World Cup schedule
Spain vs. Cape Verde, Mon., June 15, noon, Atlanta
Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay, Mon., June 15, 6 p.m., Miami
Spain vs. Saudi Arabia, Sun., June 21, noon, Atlanta
Uruguay vs. Cape Verde, Sun., June 21, 6 p.m., Miami
Uruguay vs. Spain, Fri., June 26, 8 p.m., Guadalajara
Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia, Fri., June 26, 8 p.m., Houston
