Stadium: Atlanta Stadium
Date: Monday, June 15
Kick-off Time: 5 p.m. BST
Match Preview
Spain enter the world cup on Monday with expectations that they will once again go close to winning the Tournament they did back in South Africa in 2010.
Coach Luis de la Fuentes has arguably the most talented squad of the 48 competiting nations and they arrive in North America as European Champions having won the Euros back in 2024.
Since winning a solitary world cup in 2010 Spain have flattered to deceive on the world stage, being eliminated in the group stages in 2014 and round of 16 in 2018 & 2022.
This looks the perfect opening match for Spain to kick of the campaign with a win taking on such a lowly ranked nation.
Cape Verde have qualified for a first ever World Cup tournament in 2026 and in doing so become the smallest country (by land) to ever do so, that in itself signifies the task ahead of the national team.
Although results in recent years have improved markedly not many expected them to finish above Cameroon in CAF Qualifying but they topped the group winning seven of the ten games drawing two and one solitary defeat away to Cameroon. They comfortably topped the group by four points.
Their impressive form has continued in recent weeks recording a very impressive 3-0 win over Serbia on 31st May before another 3-0 win over Bermuda on 6th June.
They are under no illusuions how tough this Group H will be but will be aiming for there first ever points at a tournament. It may not come in the opening fixture against Spain but they could really trouble Saudi Arabia & Uruguay in the other fixtures.
Team News Spain
Both Lamine Yamal & Nico Williams arrived at the Tournament carrying knocks but they have both trained fully this week but it remains to be seen if they will be risked from the start in Atlanta.
Victor Ruiz is also struggling with injury so it could be an almost second string attack for Spain but there is some real quality to fall back on with Alex Baena & Ferran Torres waiting in the wings.
Tottenham defender Pedro Porro could be handed the right back role ahead of Marcos Llorente whilst Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella will start on the left.
Despite a brilliant season with Arsenal, David Raya is still unable to claim the No1 spot with Athletic Club’s Unai Simon the preferred starter.
Team News Cape Verde
There are no concerns for Cape Verde manager Bubista, he has declared he has a fully fit squad to choose from.
Record goalscorer Ryan Mendes will be leading the line hoping to add to his 22 International goals in 97 appearances.
Logan Costa will likely feature in defence for Verde and in doing so could come up against a couple of his La Liga teammates from Villarreal.
Dailon Livramento was eligible to play for Netherlands, Portugal or Cape Verde and he chose the nation Island and has scored 7 times in 20 International games so far.
Form
| Team | Latest Result | Form (Last 5) |
|---|---|---|
| Spain | 3-1 vs Peru | W D W D D W |
| Cape Verde | 3-0 vs Bermuda | L L L W W W |
Possible Line Ups
Spain (4-3-3)
Simon; Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Ruiz, Rodri, Pedri; F Torres, Oyarzabal, Baena
Cape Verde (4-2-3-1)
Vozinha; Moreira, Costa, Pico, Paulo; Semedo, Pina; Mendes, Monteiro, Cabral; Dailon
Betting Odds
| Team | Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
Spain Win | 1/16 (1.06) | Grand Ivy |
| Draw | 10/1 (11.00) | Dream Vegas |
| Cape Verde Win | 33/1 (34.00) | 247Bet |
We Predict.....
Spain 4-0 Cape Verde
Thois is arguably the ideal first match for both sides, Spain can get off to a routine win whilst Cape Verde can get the toughest game out of the way. Nice and comfortable for the Spanish.