World Cup Group H Preview

Group H

Spain → Qualified as UEFA group winner, ranked 2nd in the FIFA rankings

Cabo Verde → Qualified as CAF group winner, ranked 67th in the FIFA rankings

Saudi Arabia → Qualified as AFC group winner, ranked 61st in the FIFA rankings

Uruguay → Qualified as a top CONMEBOL finisher, ranked 16th in the FIFA rankings


Spain Team Preview

Spain is one of two teams that me and probably most others in the world believe have the best shot at winning the World Cup. They are currently ranked second in the FIFA rankings, never lost in qualifying, and have only lost twice between 2024 and 2026 and are poised to try and win the Cup again after winning back in 2010. They are filled with young talent like Lamine Yamal and Pedri but also have veterans like Laporte and Olmo. I believe that Spain will go far and they are my pick to win the World Cup. 


Cabo Verde Team Preview

Welcome to the World Cup Cabo Verde! The second smallest country to ever qualify, topping their group which included Cameroon. They are currently riding a three game win streak that included wins over Finland and Serbia. They have only lost three official games since the beginning of 2025, two of which were shootouts against Iran and Egypt. The Cape Verdeans weren’t given an easy draw for their first World Cup and while I do see their time being short, they have made their entire country proud. 


Saudi Arabia Team Preview

Saudi Arabia are coming into their third straight World Cup and seventh of all time after winning their fourth round group of the AFC qualifying stage. Since qualifying, they have only won one game and lost their other three, two of which were against fellow World Cup qualifiers. Normally, with the results they have had, I would be counting Saudi Arabia out, but I think they could shock some people. Up until a few years ago the Saudi Pro League was considered a lower tier league, but as more stars and money have flown into the league, maybe the quality has improved as well. I still don’t see them doing well, but I am not ready to count them out just yet. 


Uruguay Team Preview

The Uruguayans are ready for their fifth straight World Cup appearance, which is also in the shadows of their *sort of* co-hosting appearance in 2030. Along with four other teams, Uruguay tied for third in the CONMEBOL qualifying group. While they lost four times, they were able to have a second best goal difference of 10, only behind Argentina. This roster is loaded with talent across the board, but I believe they are going to only do as well as their strikers. Led by Darwin Nunez with a young star in Facundo Pellistri, this is the unit that needs to perform the best in my opinion. Uruguay should advance out of their group and I can see them making a deep run in the knockouts. 


Ben’s Predictions


Best Game: Spain vs Uruguay

Two fantastic teams in Spain and Uruguay will go head to head in the final match of the group stage. Both have stars across the roster and legendary coaches leading the way. I do think Spain has an edge here with the young talent and playmakers at every position. I see this being one of the great games of the group stage as a whole.


Underrated Game: Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia

First game of the group for both teams and I think this could be a result no one sees coming. Uruguay hasn’t had an international win since 2025 and while Saudi Arabia hasn’t done much better, they are a better team than people think. Look out for the Saudis to kick Uruguay in the teeth and stun them game one. 


Dark Horse: Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is trying to emerge as a world soccer powerhouse and this World Cup is the time to show what they got. They are hosting the 2034 tournament, their domestic league has some of the greatest players like Cristiano Ronaldo, and their national team players get to go up against these great players every day in training. They say that iron sharpens iron and I think that is the case for Saudi Arabia. They won’t win the group, but I think they are going to shock the group.


Let Down Team: Spain

The Spanish seem to be on top of the football world right now. Ranked 2nd in the world according to FIFA but have an excellent argument for number one. They just won the Euro tournament, have made three straight Nations League finals appearances and won one of them, and have so much talent. Reminds me a lot of Spain going into the 2014 World Cup where the pressure got to them and they didn’t make it out of the group and haven’t made it past the round of 16 since then. I fully believe that this is a different Spain team, but if the pressure gets to them again their dream tournament could be gone quickly. 


Final Group Stage Results

  1. Spain

  2. Saudi Arabia

  3. Uruguay*

  4. Cabo Verde

*Uruguay advances as a top third place finisher.


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