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European champions Spain begin their quest for a second global title when they face Cape Verde in their World Cup Group H opener.
Luis de la Fuente's side defeated England 2-1 in Berlin in the final of Euro 2024 to claim continental glory for a fourth time and the third time in five European Championships.
La Roja's 2010 World Cup success remains their only triumph on this stage and their subsequent efforts have largely underwhelmed.
Hopes are high for a better campaign this time around and, first up, they face tournament debutants Cape Verde.
The Tubaroes Azuis topped a CAF qualifying group featuring African heavyweight Cameroon
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Spain projected starting 11
(FORMATION, 4-3-3): 23. U. Simon (GK) — 12. P. Porro, 22. P. Cubarsi, 14. A. Laporte, 24. M. Cucurella — 8. F. Ruiz, 16. Rodri, 20. Pedri — 7. F. Torres, 21. M. Oyarzabal, 15. A. Baena
- Injured: Lamine Yamal (hamstring), N. Williams (hamstring), V. Munoz (muscular)
- Suspended: None
Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams were the stars of Spain's Euro 2024 triumph but both of Luis de la Fuente's first-choice wingers are recovering from hamstring injuries and will not be risked here.
This should have meant a chance for Victor Munoz to impress, but the Osasuna youngster and reported Newcastle United target has a muscular problem of his own.
It means Alex Baena and Ferran Torres are likely to flank Mikel Oyarzabal in attack.
MORE: Gio Reyna goal shows the USMNT can play this game
Cape Verde projected starting 11
(4-2-3-1, right to left): 1. Vozinha (GK) — 22. S. Moreira, 5. L. Costa, 4. Pico, 8. Joao Paulo — 16. Yannick Semedo, 6. Kevin Pina — 20. R. Mendes, 10. Jamiro Monteiro, 7. Jovane Cabral — 19. D. Livramento
- Injured: None
- Suspended: None
Head coach Bubista has a clean bill of health heading into his side's World Cup debut.
Cape Verde's all-time leading scorer Ryan Mendes is set to start in attack. The 36-year-old as 22 goals in 98 international caps.
Spain fans might recognise Logan Costa, who plays his club football at Villarreal and is set to start in the back four.
MORE: Get tickets to see Spain vs. Saudi Arabia at the World Cup
Spain vs. Cape Verde World Cup rosters
Here are the names on Spain and Cape Verde's World Cup rosters. All caps and stats are correct as of the date of their announcement in May 2026.
Spain World Cup roster
| GK | 23 | Unai Simon | Athletic Club (La Liga, Spain) | 28 | 57 |
| GK | 1 | David Raya | Arsenal (Premier League, England) | 30 | 12 |
| GK | 13 | Joan Garcia | Barcelona (La Liga, Spain) | 25 | 1 |
| DEF | 24 | Marc Cucurella | Chelsea (Premier League, England) | 27 | 23 |
| DEF | 3 | Alejandro Grimaldo | Bayer Leverkusen (Bundesliga, Germany) | 30 | 12 |
| DEF | 22 | Pau Cubarsi | Barcelona (La Liga, Spain) | 19 | 11 |
| DEF | 14 | Aymeric Laporte | Athletic Club (La Liga, Spain) | 31 | 44 |
| DEF | 4 | Eric Garcia | Barcelona (La Liga, Spain) | 25 | 19 |
| DEF | 2 | Marc Pubill | Atletico Madrid (La Liga, Spain) | 22 | 0 |
| DEF | 5 | Marcos Llorente | Atletico Madrid (La Liga, Spain) | 31 | 23 |
| DEF | 12 | Pedro Porro | Tottenham (La Liga, Spain) | 26 | 16 |
| MID | 20 | Pedri | Barcelona (La Liga, Spain) | 23 | 40 |
| MID | 8 | Fabian Ruiz | Paris Saint-Germain (Ligue 1, Spain) | 30 | 41 |
| MID | 18 | Martin Zubimendi | Arsenal (Premier League, England) | 27 | 25 |
| MID | 9 | Gavi | Barcelona (La Liga, Spain) | 21 | 28 |
| MID | 16 | Rodri | Manchester City (Premier League, England) | 29 | 61 |
| MID | 15 | Alex Baena | Atletico Madrid (La Liga, Spain) | 24 | 15 |
| FWD | 21 | Mikel Oyazarbal | Real Sociedad (La Liga, Spain) | 29 | 52 |
| FWD | 10 | Dani Olmo | Barcelona (La Liga, Spain) | 28 | 48 |
| FWD | 17 | Nico Williams | Athletic Club (La Liga, Spain) | 23 | 30 |
| FWD | 11 | Yeremy Pino | Crystal Palace (Premier League, England) | 23 | 21 |
| FWD | 7 | Ferran Torres | Barcelona (La Liga, Spain) | 26 | 55 |
| FWD | 26 | Borja Iglesias | Celta Vigo (La Liga, Spain) | 33 | 6 |
| FWD | 25 | Victor Munoz | Osasuna (La Liga, Spain) | 22 | 2 |
| FWD | 19 | Lamine Yamal | Barcelona (La Liga, Spain) | 18 | 25 |
Cape Verde World Cup squad
| GK | 23 | CJ dos Santos | San Diego FC (MLS, United States) | 25 | 1 |
| GK | 12 | Marcio Rosa | Montana (Second League, Bulgaria) | 29 | 10 |
| GK | 1 | Vozinha | Chaves (Liga 2, Portugal) | 39 | 86 |
| DEF | 13 | Sidny Lopes Cabral | Benfica (Primeira Liga, Portugal) | 22 | 9 |
| DEF | 5 | Logan Costa | Villarreal (La Liga, Spain) | 25 | 27 |
| DEF | 3 | Diney | Al Bataeh (Pro League, UAE) | 31 | 30 |
| DEF | 22 | Steven Moreira | Columbus Crew (MLS, United States) | 31 | 19 |
| DEF | 8 | Joao Paulo | FCSB (Liga 1, Romania) | 28 | 41 |
| DEF | 4 | Pico | Shamrock Rovers (Premier Division, Rep. of Ireland) | 33 | 45 |
| DEF | 24 | Wagner Pina | Trabzonspor (Super Lig, Turkey) | 23 | 13 |
| DEF | 25 | Kelvin Pires | SJK (Veikkausliiga, Finland) | 25 | 5 |
| MID | 18 | Telmo Arcanjo | Vitoria de Guimaraes (Primeira Liga, Portugal) | 24 | 15 |
| MID | 14 | Deroy Duarte | Ludogorets Razgrad (First League, Bulgaria) | 26 | 30 |
| MID | 15 | Laros Duarte | Puskas Akademia (NB1, Hungary) | 29 | 13 |
| MID | 10 | Jamiro Monteiro | PEC Zwolle (Eredivisie, Netherlands) | 32 | 54 |
| MID | 6 | Kevin Pina | Krasnodar (Premier League, Russia) | 29 | 31 |
| MID | 16 | Yannick Semedo | Farense (Liga 2, Portugal) | 30 | 10 |
| FWD | 9 | Benchimol | Akron Tolyatti (Premier League, Russia) | 24 | 22 |
| FWD | 7 | Jovane Cabral | Estrela Amadora (Primeira Liga, Portugal) | 27 | 26 |
| FWD | 21 | Nuno da Costa | Istanbul Basaksehir (Super Lig, Turkey) | 35 | 8 |
| FWD | 19 | Dailon Livramento | Casa Pia (Primeira Liga, Portugal) | 25 | 21 |
| FWD | 20 | Ryan Mendes | Igdir (TFF 1 Lig, Turkey) | 36 | 97 |
| FWD | 11 | Garry Rodrigues | Apollon Limassol (First Division, Cyprus) | 35 | 59 |
| FWD | 17 | Willy Semedo | Omonia Nicosia (First Division, Cyprus) | 32 | 37 |
| FWD | 26 | Helio Varela | Maccabi Tel Aviv (Premier League, Israel) | 24 | 20 |
Spain vs. Cape Verde predictions, betting odds
DraftKings understandably has Spain as heavy favorites for the victory at -1100. The draw is a +1100 long shot and Cape Verde for the upset is a huge +2500
Where to watch Spain vs. Cape Verde
- TV channel: Fox
- Live stream: fubo, Fox One, Fox Sports app/website
This match will be broadcast nationally on Fox in the United States with streaming options available on its dedicated platforms.
The best place to catch the match is on streaming service fubo, with new customers able to sign up a for a FREE trial.
Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
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