WC 2026 Group H Guide: Squads and Fixtures

The 2026 World Cup Group H brings together experience and dreams. EURO 2024 champion Spain comes to the USA among the biggest favorites of the tournament; eight Barcelona players are in the 26-man squad while for the first time in World Cup history there is no Real Madrid representative in the Spain squad. Uruguay, managed by Marcelo Bielsa, is trying to remind its history of two World Cup titles in 1930 and 1950; 39-year-old Luis Suárez was not included in the squad with a controversial decision. Cabo Verde, with 525,000 population as one of the smallest countries in World Cup history, makes its first appearance on the big arena; the "Blue Sharks" left Cameroon behind in the CAF qualifiers. Saudi Arabia goes to the tournament with Greek manager Georgios Donis after Hervé Renard was dismissed on April 17. The group's matches will be played in the US cities of Atlanta, Miami Gardens and Houston and the Mexican city of Guadalajara.

Team Profiles and Announced Squads

🇪🇸 Spain (Manager: Luis de la Fuente)

Aragonese manager Luis de la Fuente had taken office at the end of 2022 replacing Luis Enrique. Spain under his management won EURO 2024 by winning all matches. Spain, which conceded only 8 goals in 14 World Cup qualifying matches, has 8 Barcelona players in its 26-man squad. Dean Huijsen and Robin Le Normand were not included in the squad due to injury; Dani Carvajal, who has not been called up to the national team for a long time, also did not take place on the preliminary list. Barcelona's midfielder Fermín López is also out due to a broken foot. Lamine Yamal will experience his first World Cup adventure at the tournament. Gavi also made an emotional comeback after long-term injury.

Goalkeepers: Unai Simón (Athletic Club), David Raya (Arsenal), Joan García (Barcelona)

Defenders: Pedro Porro (Tottenham Hotspur), Marcos Llorente (Atlético Madrid), Eric García (Barcelona), Marc Pubill (Atlético Madrid), Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Club), Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea), Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen)

Midfielders: Pedri (Barcelona), Fabián Ruiz (PSG), Martín Zubimendi (Arsenal), Gavi (Barcelona), Rodri (Manchester City), Álex Baena (Atlético Madrid), Mikel Merino (Arsenal)

Forwards: Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Nico Williams (Athletic Club), Yeremy Pino (Crystal Palace), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Borja Iglesias (Celta Vigo), Víctor Muñoz (Osasuna), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)

🇨🇻 Cabo Verde (Manager: Bubista)

Bubista, whose real name is Pedro Leitão Brito, has been at the head of the national team since 2020. Cabo Verde goes to its first World Cup adventure in history; in CAF Group D in 2026 qualifiers, it grabbed the ticket by finishing unbeaten in first place leaving Cameroon behind. Beating Eswatini in the last match with the opening score by Dailon Livramento was the moment history was written. The 525,000 population island nation drew most of the squad from the European diaspora at the tournament. Captain Ryan Mendes is the team's top scorer and most capped player with 97 international matches and 22 international goals; the 36-year-old player most likely going to his only World Cup adventure. Logan Costa (Villarreal) is the only player in the squad playing in the top 5 European leagues.

Goalkeepers: Vozinha (39, captain candidate), Márcio da Rosa (Montana), Carlos "CJ" dos Santos (San Diego FC)

Defenders: Roberto Lopes (Shamrock Rovers — born in Ireland, nicknamed "Pico"), Steven Moreira (Columbus Crew), Wagner Pina (Trabzonspor), João Paulo Fernandes (FCSB), Sidny Lopes Cabral (Benfica), Logan Costa (Villarreal), Stopira, Yuran Fernandes

Midfielders: Deroy Duarte (Sparta Rotterdam), Laros Duarte (Groningen — Deroy's brother), Jamiro Monteiro (PEC Zwolle), Kevin Pina, Yannick Semedo (Omonia), Telmo Arcanjo, Aílson Tavares

Forwards: Ryan Mendes (captain, 36 — 97 caps/22 international goals, all-time top scorer), Garry Rodrigues, Dailon Livramento (Casa Pia — qualifying process hero), Bebé, Gilson Tavares, Willy Semedo, Júlio Tavares

🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia (Manager: Georgios Donis)

The Greek manager Georgios Donis, who came to Saudi Arabia seven weeks ago on April 17, 2026 in place of Hervé Renard, had won the double at APOEL in Cyprus and served at Al Hilal, Al Wehda, Al Fateh and Al Khaleej in the Roshn Saudi League. Renard had been dismissed after losing two consecutive friendly matches in March. The Green Falcons completed the AFC third round group third behind Australia and Japan, dropped to the fourth round group; on October 14, 2025 in Jeddah, it pocketed the World Cup ticket by drawing goalless with Iraq. In history, the seventh and best performance remained advancing to the round of 16 as host USA in 1994. 25 players of the squad play in the Roshn Saudi League; RC Lens right back Saud Abdulhamid is the only European club player of the squad. Captain Salem Al-Dawsari is the experienced name with 108 international matches, the owner of the goal that toppled Argentina at Qatar 2022.

Goalkeepers: Mohammed Al-Owais (Al-Hilal), Nawaf Al-Aqidi (Al-Nassr), Raghed Al-Najjar (Al-Ittihad)

Defenders: Abdulelah Al Amri (Al Nassr), Hassan Tambakti (Al Hilal), Jehad Thikri (Al Qadsiah), Ali Lajami (Al Hilal), Hassan Kadesh (Al Ittihad), Saud Abdulhamid (RC Lens — only European club player of the squad), Mohammed Abu Al Shamat (Al Qadsiah), Ali Majrashi (Al Ahli), Moteb Al Harbi (Al Hilal), Nawaf Boushal (Al Nassr)

Midfielders: Mohammed Kanno (Al Hilal), Abdullah Al Khaibari (Al Nassr), Ziyad Al Johani (Al Ahli), Nasser Al Dawsari (Al Hilal), Musab Al Juwayr (Al Qadsiah), Alaa Al Hajji (NEOM SC — uncapped before squad), Salem Al-Dawsari (Al Hilal — captain, 108 caps, 34)

Forwards: Khalid Al Ghannam (Al Ettifaq), Ayman Yahya (Al Nassr), Sultan Mandash (Al Hilal), Feras Al Buraikan (Al Ahli — qualifying process top scorer), Saleh Al Shehri (Al Ittihad), Abdullah Al Hamdan (Al Nassr)

🇺🇾 Uruguay (Manager: Marcelo Bielsa)

Argentine manager Marcelo Bielsa, nicknamed "El Loco", took over Uruguay in May 2023. La Celeste, which completed the CONMEBOL qualifiers in fourth place, grabbed the cup ticket directly. The headline of Bielsa's 26-man squad announcement was the omission of 39-year-old Luis Suárez; the all-time top scorer had announced his retirement from international football in September 2024, said in April that he was open to return but the final disputes had been experienced after Bielsa's comments criticizing the player. Federico Valverde carries the captain's armband. Bielsa kept the attack line narrow by taking only three real forwards (Darwin Núñez, Rodrigo Aguirre, Federico Viñas) into the squad; he thought that wingers could also pass to the inside forward role. Nahitan Nández could not enter the squad despite playing an important role in qualifiers.

Goalkeepers: Fernando Muslera (Estudiantes — 39, 134 caps), Sergio Rochet (Internacional), Santiago Mele (Junior)

Defenders: Ronald Araújo (Barcelona), José María Giménez (Atlético Madrid — close to 100th international match), Santiago Bueno (Wolves), Sebastián Cáceres (Club América), Mathías Olivera (Napoli), Guillermo Varela (Flamengo), Matías Viña (Flamengo), Joaquín Piquerez (Palmeiras), Juan Manuel Sanabria (Real Salt Lake)

Midfielders: Federico Valverde (Real Madrid — captain), Manuel Ugarte (Manchester United), Rodrigo Bentancur (Tottenham Hotspur), Emiliano Martínez (Palmeiras), Rodrigo Zalazar (SC Braga), Giorgian de Arrascaeta (Flamengo), Nicolás de la Cruz (Flamengo), Agustín Canobbio (Fluminense), Maximiliano Araújo (Sporting CP), Brian Rodríguez (Club América), Facundo Pellistri (Panathinaikos)

Forwards: Darwin Núñez (Al Hilal), Federico Viñas (Real Oviedo), Rodrigo Aguirre (Club América)

Group H Fixtures (Local Time)

Matchday 1 — Monday, June 15, 2026

Spain vs Cabo Verde | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta | 12:00 (local/ET)

Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens | 18:00 (local/ET)

Matchday 2 — Sunday, June 21, 2026

Spain vs Saudi Arabia | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta | 12:00 (local/ET)

Uruguay vs Cabo Verde | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens | 18:00 (local/ET)

Matchday 3 — Friday, June 26, 2026

Cabo Verde vs Saudi Arabia | NRG Stadium, Houston | 20:00 (local CT)

Uruguay vs Spain | Estadio Akron, Guadalajara (Mexico) | 19:00 (local CST — Mexico)

The group winner and runner-up will advance directly to the round of 32, while the third-placed team will be evaluated based on the performance of the third-place teams of other groups. The 8 best third-place teams will also join the round of 32.

Europe and Turkey Times

Monday, June 15, 2026

Spain - Cabo Verde: 18:00 CEST | 19:00 TST

Saudi Arabia - Uruguay: 00:00 CEST (June 16) | 01:00 TST (June 16)

Sunday, June 21, 2026

Spain - Saudi Arabia: 18:00 CEST | 19:00 TST

Uruguay - Cabo Verde: 00:00 CEST (June 22) | 01:00 TST (June 22)

Friday, June 26, 2026

Cabo Verde - Saudi Arabia: 03:00 CEST (June 27) | 04:00 TST (June 27)

Uruguay - Spain: 03:00 CEST (June 27) | 04:00 TST (June 27)

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