Spain vs Uruguay is the Group H pressure match: Spain's possession structure against Uruguay's midfield aggression and direct forward threat.
Spain must protect rest-defense spaces when the fullbacks advance, because Uruguay can turn one midfield win into a fast penalty-box attack.
Key duel: Spain's interiors and pivot spacing vs Federico Valverde's transition power.
Stakes: A potential Group H decider with major implications for knockout seeding.
Spain won Euro 2024 playing the most fluid, attacking football of any international team in years. At 2026, Lamine Yamal is 18 and Pedri is 24. This is their moment.
Spain's tiki-taka revival under De La Fuente faces Uruguay's experienced defensive unit. Cape Verde are Africa's surprise package.
Every World Cup produces its shock stories. In 2022 it was Morocco. In 2002 it was South Korea. Here are the five teams most likely to surprise in 2026.