Spain face Saudi Arabia in Group H with Yamal still limited

Spain will play Saudi Arabia on Sunday in a FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, with kickoff set for 12:00 local time (16:00 GMT). The European champions return to the same venue after a surprise 0-0 draw with World Cup debutants Cape Verde in their opener, despite registering 27 shots.

The result left Spain needing a sharper attacking edge as the group remains tight after the first round of fixtures. Spain, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay and Cape Verde each have one point, with Uruguay top on team conduct score, according to tournament data cited in pre-match reporting.

Data provider Opta rates Spain as heavy favourites, giving them an 86.7% chance of winning, compared with 4.3% for Saudi Arabia and a 9% chance of a draw. Spain have also slipped to fourth in Opta’s overall title projection after the opening match.

Yamal expected to start on the bench again

Spain are continuing to manage the minutes of winger Lamine Yamal as he recovers from a hamstring injury. The 18-year-old was named among the substitutes against Cape Verde and came on in the 71st minute.

Yamal said on Friday that a start against Saudi Arabia would be “too soon” and that he is not ready to play a full match, while adding he can play as many minutes as the coach wants. Spain will again have to balance the need for greater attacking urgency with the player’s return-to-fitness plan.

Saudi Arabia confidence boosted by Uruguay draw

Saudi Arabia arrive encouraged by a 1-1 draw with Uruguay, a point that coach Georgios Donis described as a “booster for our psychology” after taking charge two months before the tournament. The result kept Saudi Arabia in contention in a group where all four teams are separated by only minor tie-breakers.

Spain are wary of the threat of an organised opponent. Saudi Arabia caused one of the 2022 World Cup’s biggest shocks by beating Argentina in the opening round, and their best finish at the tournament remains a run to the round of 16 in 1994.

With only the top teams progressing to the newly expanded round of 32, Sunday’s match is set to shape the early knockout race in Group H and determine how much pressure Spain carry into the final group games.