Who will Spain play at World Cup 2026? Dates, kick-off times and full schedule revealed

Spain will seek to follow their Euro 2024 success at the FIFA World Cup as they kick off their 2026 campaign against Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.

'La Roja' are in Group H for the tournament held across the United States, Canada and Mexico, with Luis de la Fuente and company pursuing a second triumph after 2010.

To get there though, they must get past a veteran heavyweight, the 2034 hosts and a minnow nation making a historic debut inside their first three fixtures.

The 2026 edition of the FIFA World Cup sees history made, with a record 48 nations competing across three host nations in the USA, Canada and Mexico, at 60 venues.

It means for the first time, there will be a Round of 32 introduced at a World Cup. 

(Getty Images)

Spain's World Cup 26 Group: Who will Spain play?

In the expanded World Cup, there are now 12 Groups of four teams.

Each nation plays each other once, with the top two automatically qualifying for the knockout stages. Then the eight best third-place sides from the 12 Groups also go through.

Spain are top seeds in Group H and will face Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.

Group H

Spain World Cup 26 fixtures: Dates, kick-off times, venue

Spain will play their first game against Cape Verde on Monday, June 15 before they face Saudi Arabia six days later on Sunday, June 21.

'Les Bleus' then conclude their campaign with a clash against Norway on Friday, June 26.

Spain Group H Fixtures

• Monday, June 15: Spain vs Cape Verde - Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
• Sunday, June 21: Spain vs Saudi Arabia - Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
• Friday, June 26: Uruguay vs Spain - Estadio Akron, Zapopan

Who could Spain play in the knockout stages?

The top two in each group qualify for the World Cup knockout stages, with the eight best third-placed also progressing. That means for the first time in World Cup history, a Round of 32 will be played.

With Spain in Group H, it means if they top the Group, they will face the runner-up in Group J. If they finish second, they will face the winners of Group J, who could be Argentina.

If they finish as one of the best third-place nations, they will face the victors of Group A/G/I/L.

If Spain progress from that first knockout match, they then face a Round of 16 game, followed by a quarter-final, semi-final in order to potentially reach the final on July 19, 2026.

Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

When is the FIFA World Cup 26?

The tournament kicks off June 11, 2026, with host nation Mexico taking South Africa at the famed Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

Nearly six weeks later, the last of the 104 games - the World Cup 26 Final - will be played at MetLife Stadium just outside of New York City on July 19, 2026.

World Cup 2026 format and schedule

With 48 nations involved at this World Cup, there will be 12 Groups of four teams each.

The top two in each group qualify for the knockout stages, with the eight best third-place teams also progressing. That means for the first time in World Cup history, a Round of 32 will be played.

World Cup schedule and key dates:

• Group stages: June 11-27
• Round of 32: June 28-July 3
• Round of 16: July 4-7
• Quarter-finals: July 9-11
• Semi-finals: July 14-15
• Bronze final: July 19
• Final: July 19

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