Pre-tournament favourites Spain open their Group H campaign with a match against World Cup debutants Cape Verde.
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Who: Spain vs Cape Verde
What: FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match
Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, United States
When: Monday, 12pm local time (16:00 GMT)
How to follow: Catch all live updates on Al Jazeera Sport
Spain, the reigning European champions and strong favourites for the 2026 World Cup, begin their title bid on Monday by facing minnows Cape Verde in Atlanta.
Since winning their maiden world title in 2010, Spain have endured a dismal run in the following three campaigns, bowing out in the group stage in 2014 and exiting in the round of 16 in 2018 and 2022.
But their Euro 2024 success and a new golden generation of Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Gavi, Ferran Torres and others have prompted bookmakers to keep Spain at the top of the potential winners‘ list.
La Roja – known for playing entertaining, attacking football – have become unshakeable over the last four years, going 30 matches unbeaten since a 1-0 friendly loss to Colombia at Wembley in March 2024.
Spain will arguably be the team to beat in North America, with Opta’s supercomputer handing them a 15.94 percent probability to lift the title, and France a close second at 13.62 percent odds.
Yamal single-handedly stole the show in Germany two years ago en route to their Euro title, and will hope to repeat that form at the June 11 – July 19 tournament.
But the teen sensation may have to wait a little longer to make his World Cup debut.
Spain could take a cautious approach for the Cape Verde opener with winger Yamal and young forward Nico Williams in the final stages of recovery from hamstring injuries sustained in April.
Both returned to training with their teammates on Thursday, but De la Fuente could opt to name them on the bench or keep them out of the matchday squad until they reach full fitness.
Known for its crystal-clear waters and sandy white beaches, Cape Verde will make noise for different reasons this North American summer.
The archipelago of 10 islands in the Atlantic Ocean will make its World Cup debut on Monday, arriving at the global showpiece as one of 10 African representatives.
After their fairytale qualification, which coincided with its 50th anniversary of independence from Portugal, Cape Verde – with fewer than 600,000 inhabitants – became the third smallest country by population to reach the tournament after Iceland in 2018 and Curacao, also in 2026.
The team has slowly built credibility in recent years. Their international breakthrough came in 2013 when they qualified for their first Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and reached the quarterfinal stage.
Cape Verde has spread the national team net wide with starters based in several countries, including Portugal, the Netherlands, and the United States.
![Cape Verde beat record African World Cup qualifiers Cameroon to seal their spot in the finals [File: Cristiano Barbosa/AP]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/AP25286764425321-1774510671.jpg?w=770&resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
Spain are strong favourites to win this match, having an 87.2 percent probability of walking away with three points. Cape Verde have a slim 4.8 percent chance of victory, while a draw has an 8.15 percent chance.
Overall, Spain have a 76.53 percent probability to win Group H, which also includes Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.
The following is the list of broadcasters and platforms to watch the game in these countries:
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