Spain open World Cup campaign against debutants Cape Verde
European champions Spain begin Group H in Atlanta, with Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams injury doubts for the Cape Verde match.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
3 min read
Spain begin their 2026 World Cup campaign on Monday against Cape Verde in Atlanta, a match that pairs one of the tournament favourites with a first-time qualifier. Al Jazeera reported that the Group H game will be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium at 12pm local time, or 16:00 GMT.
The match gives Spain an early chance to show whether their Euro 2024 form can carry into the World Cup. Cape Verde, meanwhile, will play the first World Cup match in the country’s history after reaching the expanded tournament in North America.
Spain arrive as one of the favourites
Al Jazeera described Spain as reigning European champions and among the strongest contenders for the 2026 title. The team won its only World Cup in 2010, but its last three tournaments ended earlier than expected: the group stage in 2014 and the round of 16 in both 2018 and 2022.
Spain’s current squad is built around a younger core that includes Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Gavi and Ferran Torres. Al Jazeera reported that bookmakers have Spain near the top of the list of possible winners after their Euro 2024 title.
Spain also enter the tournament on a long unbeaten run. According to Al Jazeera, La Roja have gone 30 matches without defeat since losing 1-0 to Colombia in a friendly at Wembley in March 2024.
Opta’s supercomputer gives Spain a 15.94 percent chance of winning the World Cup, the highest figure cited by Al Jazeera. France are next at 13.62 percent.
Yamal and Williams face fitness questions
Yamal’s availability is one of Spain’s main questions before kickoff. Al Jazeera reported that the winger and forward Nico Williams are in the final stages of recovery from hamstring injuries suffered in April.
Both players returned to team training on Thursday, according to Al Jazeera. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente could still choose to use them from the bench or leave them out of the matchday squad until they are considered fully fit.
Yamal was one of Spain’s standout players at Euro 2024, Al Jazeera reported. If selected in this tournament, he would make his World Cup debut.
Cape Verde make their World Cup debut
Cape Verde arrive as one of 10 African teams at the 2026 World Cup, according to Al Jazeera. The Atlantic island nation qualified during the year marking the 50th anniversary of its independence from Portugal.
With a population of fewer than 600,000, Cape Verde became the third smallest country by population to reach the World Cup, behind Iceland in 2018 and Curacao in 2026, Al Jazeera reported. The team sealed qualification by beating Cameroon, according to Al Jazeera’s account.
Cape Verde’s progress has built over more than a decade. Al Jazeera reported that the national team first reached the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013 and advanced to the quarterfinals in that tournament.
The squad draws on players based in several countries, including Portugal, the Netherlands and the United States, according to Al Jazeera.
Prediction and how to watch
Spain are heavy favourites for Monday’s match. Al Jazeera reported a win probability of 87.2 percent for Spain, 4.8 percent for Cape Verde and 8.15 percent for a draw.
Spain also have a 76.53 percent chance to win Group H, according to figures cited by Al Jazeera. The group also includes Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.
- Spain: LA 1, DAZN Mundial, RTVE Play
- Cape Verde: New World TV, SuperSport
- United Kingdom: ITVX, ITV1, STV Player, STV
- United States: FOX, FOX One, Telemundo App, Telemundo Network, Peacock
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.