Group H is still wide open heading into the final two matches, as Uruguay prepare to face Spain in Zapopan, and Cape Verde lock horns with Saudi Arabia in Houston, with both games taking place at 1am (UK time) on Saturday morning.
As things stand, Spain top the table on four points, two points ahead of both Uruguay in second and Cape Verde in third, while Saudi Arabia are fourth on one point. There are numerous permutations in this group and, while the short of it is Spain are in pole position, their surprising goalless draw with Cape Verde proved that nothing can be taken for granted in this group.
Read on for the key World Cup 2026 stats ahead of the two games.
Key stats in Group H
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Uruguay vs Spain
- Uruguay key stat: La Celeste are winless in six matches in all competitions, drawing five.
- Spain key stat: Mikel Oyarzabal has scored 20 goals for Spain since June 2024.
Spain looked back to their best in a 4-0 thumping of Saudi Arabia, during which Mikel Oyarzabal scored a brace, meaning the Real Sociedad skipper has now scored 20 goals for his country in the last two years.
The win meant La Roja extended their superb unbeaten run to 32 matches – excluding penalty shoot-outs – which consists of 23 wins and nine draws.
Luis de la Fuente’s troops will now bid to book their spot in the last-32 as group winners and can draw on an impressive record against Uruguay, having never lost in 10 clashes between the countries (five wins & five draws). However, the two World Cup meetings between the sides have been draws.
Speaking of draws, Uruguay have drawn five of their last six matches, including both games at this year’s World Cup.
Their last win dates back to October when they beat Uzbekistan, while they’ve only carved out one win from their last six World Cup games.
The pressure is on Marcelo Bielsa ahead of this game and while a draw could be enough to see them progress, a victory would remove any lingering uncertainty and guarantee their place in the next round.
Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia
- Cape Verde key stat: The Blue Sharks are unbeaten in their first World Cup and bidding to claim their first win, which would fire them into the knockout stages.
- Saudi Arabia key stat: Saudi Arabia have exited in the group stages of their last five World Cups and have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last 18 World Cup matches dating back to 1994.
Saudi Arabia have come unstuck in the group stages in each of their last five World Cup appearances since they reached the last-16 on their debut 32 years ago.
The Green Falcons have one point on the board so far in this edition, but they know that a victory over Cape Verde will at least be enough for third spot – and likely progress as a best third-place finisher – while it would be enough for second if Spain don’t lose against Uruguay.
Worrying, they have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last 18 World Cup matches dating back to 1994. In fact, they’ve only ever carved out one shutout in their 21 games at the tournament, suffering 14 defeats in the process.
This will certainly fill Cape Verde with confidence, as will their own performances so far in their debut World Cup. The Blue Sharks remarkably held Spain to a goalless draw despite being bombarded by 27 shots and only having 25% possession. The island nation proved this was no fluke by holding two-time winners Uruguay to a 2-2 draw, during which Kevin Pina scored his country’s first ever World Cup goal.
So, Cape Verde have their first World Cup points and goals, now they are seeking their first ever win, which would fire them into the last-32. However, a draw may be enough too, depending on other results.
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