Given their superb performances at Euro 2024, it is no surprise to see that Spain are not only favourites to top Group H but also become champions of the world for the second time in their history.
At the end of 2025, Luis de la Fuente had won 29 and lost just two of his 38 games in charge of La Roja and has returned them to the heights between 2008 and 2012 of being the world’s most feared team.
Rodri, Pedri and Fabian Ruiz are three of the world’s best midfielders, Lamine Yamal is arguably the world’s best player and there is plenty of strength in depth, with Martin Zubimendi, Nico Williams and Ferran Torres all capable of making big contributions.
The sole worry is the lack of central defenders. Aymeric Laporte is now past his best, leaving youngsters Dean Huijsen and Pau Cubarsi in the heart of defence. Both are excellent prospects, but this Spain side might ship more goals than they did at Euro 2024.
Top spot is a formality but the rest of Group H looks wide open. Uruguay have the strongest squad of the three remaining teams, hence their short odds to qualify from the section, but their form to end 2025 was anything but convincing.
Their final friendly of the year saw them routed 5-1 by USA and it was lucky they made such a strong start in their bid to make the World Cup as they won just three of their final 12 qualifying matches.
Marcelo Bielsa’s attacking, high-pressing tactics are great when they work but there are major repercussions when they don’t and fatigue may become an issue as the tournament progresses, or even in the group stage itself.
Unfortunately for those routing for an underdog, Cape Verde are not likely to be the team to condemn Uruguay to a spot in second. The Blue Sharks made history by qualifying for their first World Cup but their maiden global spectacle may not be one to remember.
Bottom spot beckons for Bubista’s side, although his counter-attacking tactics were effective at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where Cape Verde made the quarter-finals, and they have enough to earn a point on their cross-Atlantic expedition.
Instead of Cape Verde, it is Saudi Arabia who look most likely to capitalise should Uruguay slip up - the Green Falcons would love to, too, as they aim to become a force ahead of the 2030 World Cup that they are hosting.
Journeyman manager Herve Renard is at the helm and his experience should help motivate a similar group of players to the ones which landed a stunning 2-1 victory over Argentina at the 2022 World Cup.
Spain will dominate this group and win every game but a repeat of their three group-stage clean sheets at Euro 2024 is not on the cards.
Saudi Arabia could be shock second-place finishers ahead of Uruguay, who seem to have been overrated by the bookies, while Cape Verde’s maiden World Cup campaign might be one to forget, on the pitch at least.