Spain will be looking to get their 2026 World Cup up and running when they take on Saudi Arabia on Sunday at 5pm (UK time).
La Roja were left frustrated in their World Cup opener as they were held to a goalless draw by Cape Verde. The 2010 champions had 27 shots but only hit the target seven times, failing to win their World Cup opener for the fourth time in five tournaments.
Saudi Arabia also started their World Cup campaign with a draw, holding Uruguay to a point. But it was two points dropped, as Saudi Arabia took the lead through Abdulelah Al-Amri before Maximiliano Araujo equalised.
These two sides have met three times before, with Spain winning all three games. That includes a 1-0 win at the 2006 World Cup.
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Spain vs Saudi Arabia team news
Spain team news
Luis de la Fuente has a decision or two to make ahead of this game. Lamine Yamal was not fit enough to start the draw against Cape Verde but came off the bench and quickly became Spain’s best player. Pre-tournament, it was predicted that Yamal would not start until Spain’s third game. But De la Fuente may be tempted to start him here.
However, this game may be too soon for Nico Williams, who only got a brief cameo last time out after his own injury worries. As a result, Gavi is likely to keep his place on the left wing, with Lamal on the right. But Ferran Torres could stay in the team and move centrally, with Mikel Oyarzabal a potential to drop down to the bench. The striker hit the target with just one of his five shots against Cape Verde.
Spain are likely to remain the same with the rest of the team. There aren’t many reasons to make drastic changes, even after the poor result last time out. So Pedri, Rodri and Fabian Ruiz are expected to be the midfield trio. Unai Simon will continue in goal, with Marcos Llorente, Pau Cubarsi, Aymeric Laporte and Marc Cucurella in defence.
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Saudi Arabia team news
Georgios Donis didn’t really string many surprises in his lineup against Uruguay last time out, but there were a few decisions to make. Nasser Al-Dawsari will have hoped for a spot in the starting XI but Mohamed Kanno and Abdullah Al-Khaibari were the chosen double pivot. That may continue against Spain given how well they played together.
Salem Al-Dawsari will keep his place on the left-wing, captaining Saudi Arabia from the attack. He’ll be joined in the front line by Firas Al-Buraikan, Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat and Musab Al-Juwayr. Abdullah Al-Hamdan and Sultan Al-Ghannam will be among those looking to break itno the attacking line, though.
The defensive setup is likely to stay the same too. Mohammed Al-Owais is the most-experienced goalkeeper and the first-choice shot-stopper, despite not having the No.1 jersey. Abdulelah Al-Amri won the battle to play alongside Hassan Al-Tambakti at centre-back, though Hassan Kadesh will be waiting in the wings for any changes. Saud Abdulhamid and Moteb Al-Harbi should continue as the full-backs.
Spain vs Saudi Arabia predicted lineups
Spain (4-3-3): Simon; Llorente, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Ruiz, Rodri, Pedri; Yamal, Torres, Gavi.
Saudi Arabia (4-2-3-1): Al-Owais; Abdulhamid, Tambakti, Al-Amri, Al-Harbi; Kanno, Al-Khaibari; Abu Al-Shamat, Al-Juwayr, S Al-Dawsari; Al-Buraikan.
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