Spain will be looking to secure their first victory of the 2026 FIFA World Cup when they face Saudi Arabia in a crucial Group H encounter on Sunday afternoon.
La Roja entered the tournament among the favourites but produced a frustrating performance in their opening match, being held to a goalless draw by Cape Verde. Luis de la Fuente’s side struggled to create clear opportunities and lacked attacking inspiration until the introduction of teenage sensation Lamine Yamal.
The 18-year-old forward is expected to return to the starting lineup against Saudi Arabia, with Spain hoping his creativity can unlock a team that will likely sit deep and defend in numbers. A victory would put Spain in a strong position to reach the knockout stage, with four points from their next two matches potentially enough to secure qualification.
Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, showed plenty of character in their opener against Uruguay. The Green Falcons took the lead through Abdulelah Al Amri before conceding late to draw 1-1.
Georgios Donis’ team will enter the match knowing they have never defeated Spain, losing their previous World Cup meeting in 2006 and two friendly encounters. However, their ability to frustrate opponents gives them confidence heading into a difficult challenge.
Team News
Spain are expected to make changes, with Lamine Yamal likely to start after returning from injury against Cape Verde. Nico Williams could also be introduced from the beginning, while Ferran Torres and Gavi may drop to the bench.
Saudi Arabia have no reported injury concerns. Defender Abdulelah Al Amri is expected to continue after scoring in the opening game, while captain Salem Al-Dawsari and striker Firas Al Buraikan remain key attacking threats.
Possible Lineups
Spain possible starting lineup:
Simon; Llorente, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Ruiz, Rodri, Pedri; Yamal, Oyarzabal, N Williams
Saudi Arabia possible starting lineup:
Al-Owais; Abdulhamid, Al Tambakti, Al Amri, Al Harbi; Al Shamat, Al-Khaibari, Kanno, S Al-Dawsari; Al Buraikan, Al-Juwayr
How to Watch
| Platform | Details |
|---|---|
| TV Broadcast | SuperSport |
| Live Stream | DSTV stream |
| Kick-off Time | 17:00 (WAT) |
Match Prediction
Softfootball predicts Spain 2-0 Saudi Arabia.
Spain possess superior quality and attacking depth, but their opening performance showed they can be vulnerable against disciplined opponents. Saudi Arabia will look to frustrate them and exploit counter-attacking opportunities.
