Skip to content
datastats
World Cup 2026 Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay — All Level After Matchday 1
George Zografidis (Pexels) · Pexels License

World Cup 2026 Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay — All Level After Matchday 1

▲ Peak Trend score: 93 Published: June 20, 2026 Updated: June 22, 2026

By Alexandre Le Hégarat datastats

MD1 (June 15): Spain 0-0 Cape Verde (Vozinha heroic, 27 shots stopped), Saudi Arabia 1-1 Uruguay — all on 1 pt. MD2 (June 21): Spain 4-0 Saudi Arabia (Yamal 10', Oyarzabal 21' and 24', Altambakti OG 49') — Yamal's first WC goal; Uruguay 2-2 Cape Verde (Pina 21' CpV; Araújo 44', Canobbio 45+6' URU; Varela 61' CpV) — Cape Verde first debutant to go unbeaten in 2 WC matches since Senegal 2002. Standings: Spain 4 pts, Uruguay 2, Cape Verde 2, Saudi Arabia 1. MD3 (June 26): Spain vs Cape Verde, Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia.

The context

Group H of the 2026 FIFA World Cup has already delivered one of the tournament’s defining early stories — and the group is still in its opening act. After Matchday 1 on June 15, all four teams are level on one point each, a situation that barely happens in World Cup group play and signals that anything can happen over the remaining two rounds.

The headline from Matchday 1 belongs to Cape Verde and their goalkeeper Vozinha. At Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, the 40-year-old shot-stopper faced reigning world champions Spain and spent 90 minutes producing save after save — seven in total — to secure a goalless draw that left the football world stunned. Spain had 27 shots. Vozinha stopped them all. It is one of the most extraordinary individual performances of the tournament so far, and Cape Verde’s debut point against Spain will be remembered regardless of how the rest of their campaign unfolds.

Meanwhile, in Miami at Hard Rock Stadium, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay produced an entertaining 1-1 draw. Abdulelah Al Amri gave the Saudis a lead they held deep into the match, before Maxi Araújo — the Atlético Madrid winger — found an equaliser to preserve Uruguay’s unbeaten record. Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguayan side are dangerous opponents for anyone; they were unfortunate not to win.

Matchday 2 on June 21 settled much of the suspense — though not all of it.

In Atlanta, Spain answered their critics with authority. Lamine Yamal — the 17-year-old Barcelona prodigy making his World Cup debut — scored in the 10th minute to get the champions moving. Mikel Oyarzabal then added two more in the 21st and 24th minutes, giving Spain a 3-0 lead inside the first half-hour. Trainer Luis de la Fuente substituted both players at half-time, the job essentially done; Altambakti added an own goal in the 49th to complete the 4-0 rout. Saudi Arabia, bottom of the group, have 1 point and now face Uruguay on June 26 in a must-win situation.

In Miami, Uruguay and Cape Verde delivered one of the most entertaining matches of the group stage. Kevin Pina opened the scoring with an outrageous 30-yard free kick in the 21st minute — Cape Verde’s first ever World Cup goal. Uruguay’s Maxi Araújo equalised in the 44th and Agustín Canobbio put Uruguay 2-1 ahead with a close-range finish in the 45+6th minute — only for substitute Hélio Varela to equalise for Cape Verde in the 61st. The 2-2 result is remarkable for a debutant side: Cape Verde are the first new nation to go unbeaten in their first two World Cup appearances since Senegal in 2002.

Standings after MD2: Spain 4 pts (GD +4), Uruguay 2 pts (GD 0), Cape Verde 2 pts (GD 0), Saudi Arabia 1 pt (GD -4). Matchday 3 on June 26 decides the knockouts: Spain vs Cape Verde in Atlanta; Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia in Miami.

People also ask

What teams are in Group H of the 2026 World Cup?#
Group H contains Spain (reigning World Cup champions, 2022), Cape Verde (making their World Cup debut), Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay. Matches are played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, and Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Mexico.
What was the score of Spain vs Cape Verde at the 2026 World Cup?#
Spain drew 0-0 with Cape Verde on June 15, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta — one of the biggest shocks of the 2026 World Cup's opening round. Spain had 27 shots, seven on target, but 40-year-old Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha produced a heroic performance to deny them. It was Spain's first goalless draw in a World Cup group-stage match in over two decades.
Who is Vozinha, Cape Verde's goalkeeper at the 2026 World Cup?#
Vozinha (real name Josimar Dias) is Cape Verde's veteran goalkeeper, aged 40, who was the hero of their 0-0 draw with Spain on June 15, 2026. He made seven saves to deny the reigning world champions in Atlanta, in one of the most celebrated individual performances of the tournament's opening round. Vozinha is one of the oldest goalkeepers ever to appear in a World Cup.
What was the score of Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay at the 2026 World Cup?#
Saudi Arabia and Uruguay drew 1-1 on June 15, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Abdulelah Al Amri gave Saudi Arabia the lead, but Maxi Araújo — the Atlético Madrid winger — levelled for Uruguay late in the match, denying Saudi Arabia their first World Cup win in several years.
Who scored for Saudi Arabia and Uruguay at the 2026 World Cup?#
Abdulelah Al Amri scored for Saudi Arabia in their 1-1 draw with Uruguay on June 15, 2026. Maxi Araújo scored Uruguay's equaliser late in the match to salvage a point for Marcelo Bielsa's side.
What are the Group H standings after Matchday 2 of the 2026 World Cup?#
After Matchday 2 (June 21): Spain lead with 4 points after their 4-0 demolition of Saudi Arabia. Uruguay and Cape Verde are level on 2 points each after their 2-2 draw. Saudi Arabia are bottom on 1 point. Matchday 3 (June 26): Spain vs Cape Verde (Atlanta) and Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia (Miami). Spain need only a draw to top the group.
What was the score of Spain vs Saudi Arabia at the 2026 World Cup?#
Spain thrashed Saudi Arabia 4-0 on June 21, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta — a complete response after the opening 0-0 draw with Cape Verde. Lamine Yamal scored his first World Cup goal in the 10th minute. Mikel Oyarzabal added a brace in the 21st and 24th minutes with La Roja leading 3-0 before half-time, prompting De La Fuente to substitute both stars at the break. Altambakti completed an own goal in the 49th minute. Spain's dominance was total.
What was the score of Uruguay vs Cape Verde at the 2026 World Cup?#
Uruguay and Cape Verde drew 2-2 on June 21, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Kevin Pina opened the scoring for Cape Verde with a stunning 30-yard free kick in the 21st minute — Cape Verde's first-ever World Cup goal. Maxi Araújo equalised for Uruguay in the 44th minute and Agustín Canobbio put Uruguay 2-1 up with a close-range finish in the 45+6th. Hélio Varela then equalised for Cape Verde in the 61st minute, securing a remarkable 2-2 draw. Cape Verde became the first debutant nation to go unbeaten in their first two World Cup matches since Senegal in 2002.
Can Cape Verde qualify from Group H at the 2026 World Cup?#
Yes — and their record of two draws (0-0 vs Spain, 2-2 vs Uruguay) is remarkable for a debutant nation. They face Spain in MD3 (June 26) knowing that a win would almost certainly put them through. However, Spain will be highly motivated. Cape Verde became the first debutant nation unbeaten through two World Cup matches since Senegal in 2002.
What is the significance of Spain drawing 0-0 with Cape Verde?#
It is one of the biggest stories of the 2026 World Cup's opening round. Spain, the reigning world champions, were unable to score in 90 minutes despite 27 shots against a Cape Verde side making their World Cup debut. Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, 40 years old, made seven saves. Spain had not been held scoreless in a World Cup group-stage match for many years. The draw means Spain cannot afford another slip-up in Group H.

Sources

Related topics

Related products

As an Amazon Associate, datastats earns from qualifying purchases.