I hate to start this blog with more World Cup controversies but the US isn’t the only nation causing World Cup controversy.

Mexico’s controversies are underneath the headlines of the American controversies but they’re worth noting. One is FIFA blockading inspection of the treatment of labor workers at Azteca Stadium. It could be possible labor laws are being violated and FIFA doing things to hide it. Another controversy is a cartel leader in the Jalisco region was captured and killed. Members of that cartel have carried out various acts of retaliatory violence. That sparked concern because Guadalajara is in the Jalisco region. FIFA stated there will be no change of host and the Mexican government have increased police force starting in March.

Whatever the situation of controversies, hopefully it won’t stop your intrigue with the tournament. With the tournament, here is my look at the teams of Group H:

-Spain (2): It’s crazy right now that La Roja and La Furia Roja are both beloved worldwide right now and also an enigma right now. Their win at the 2010 World Cup really increased their popularity and worldwide fandom. Since then, their World Cup results have been lackluster. In the three previous World Cups, their highest finish has been the Round of 16. They have won two European championships and made an additional semifinal since but their World Cup choking has really made people question what happened? They are the current reigning Euro winners so they have a lot to live up to when they start playing here.

Spain’s coaching staff is completely Spanish and their head coach is Luis de la Fuente who was hired just after the 2022 World Cup. Most of the team plays for teams with La Liga or other European teams. Star players include goalkeeper Unai Simon from Athletic Bilbao, defender Aymeric Laporte also from Athletic Bilbao, midfielder Fabian Ruiz who plays for Paris St. Germain and striker Ferran Torres from FC Barcelona. For their play in the last twelve months, they have not has a loss. Notable wins include against Georgia, Serbia and France, they’ve had a win and a draw against Turkey and other notable draws have been against Egypt and Portugal. Chances are Spain could be ready to deliver again to clinch their second World Cup.

-Cape Verde (68): Never underestimate a team you label a ‘minnow.’ That’s what Cape Verde proved in qualifying for the World Cup. Even before qualifying for United 2026, the Blue Sharks or the Creoles have made it to the quarterfinals at the African Cup of Nations twice before. With the population of just less than half a million, Cape Verde joins Curacao as one of two nations with less than a million people to qualify for this World Cup! Some may argue the expansion to 48 teams may have something to do with it but knowing they beat out Cameroon who has competed in eight World Cups, that says a lot!

Cabo Verde have a head coach who is from the home nation. Named Bubista, he’s played professionally for European teams and African teams. Most of the players play for European teams with many playing in teams from Portugal’s Primeira Liga. Top players include goalkeeper Vozinha who plays for Chaves, defender Stopira who plays for Torreense, midfielder Jamiro Monteiro who plays for the Netherlands’ PEC Zwolle, and striker and captain Ryan Mendes who plays for Turkey’s Igdir. Their play in the last twelve months have been mostly consistent. They’ve had notable wins against Serbia, Cameroon and twice against Malaysia. They’e had draws against Georgia, Iran and Egypt, and their only loss came to Chile. Chances are in 2026 Cabo Verde can surprise the world and play better than most people expect.

-Saudi Arabia (61): 2026 will make it the seventh World Cup appearance for The Green Falcons. Mind you their appearances have been full of difficulty and surprises. At the first World Cup in 1994, they were surprise qualifiers to the knockout round beating out many favorites. That is so far the only time they’ve advanced past the Group Stage. Even after a stunning 2-1 upset against eventual Cup winners Argentina, they lost their next two games! Their last Arab Cup win was in 2002 and the last time they finished in the Top 3 of the Asian Cup was 2007.

Most of the coaching staff of the Saudi team are either Saudi or Greek. The head coach is Greek, Georgios Donis, who has coached many Saudi league teams. Almost everyone on the national team plays for teams that are part of the Saudi Pro League. Top players include goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais, defender Saud Abdulhamid, midfielder Salem Al-Dawsari, and striker Firas Al-Buraikan. Their play in the last twelve months has been challenging. They’ve had wins against Jordan, Ivory Coast and North Macedonia. Notable draws include Czechia, Iraq and Trinidad and Tobago. They have endured a lot of losses and all three of their matches of 2026 have been losses. The World Cup will be the arena for the Saudi team and they have a chance to prove to the world they can be among the best in the world.

-Uruguay (17): One thing about the last 20 years is that La Celeste or Los Charruas are proving they are not a simple blast from the past. This will be their fifteenth World Cup and fifth consecutive: their longest qualification streak ever. Despite the recent retirements from the team like Diego Godin, Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, their team of new younger members have delivered success like a third-place at the Copa America and in qualifying for the Cup, they had the fourth-best results of the CONMEBOL teams.

Uruguay’s coaching staff is mostly from all around South America and their head coach is an Argentinean: Marcelo Bielsa. One of the big shockers was that Luis Suarez was not named to the national team. Most of the players play for teams in Europe and South America. Top players include goalkeeper Fernando Muslera from Argentina’s Estudiantes, defender and captain Jose Maria Gimenez who plays for Atletico Madrid, midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur who plays for Tottenham Hotspur, and striker Darwin Nunez who plays for Saudi team Al-Hilal. In the last twelve months they’ve had notable wins against Venezuela, Peru and the Dominican Republic. They’ve had draws to Chile and Mexico and losses to the United States and Paraguay. Chances are Uruguay can deliver in the world arena and prove themselves among the biggest in the world.

My Qualifier Predictions: Here we go again with predicting. I predict Spain to top the group and Uruguay to finish second. I predict Saudi Arabia to be third, but not to qualify.

And there you have it. That’s my review of the Group H teams of the 2026 World Cup. It’s funny that by now, I would be finished my review blogs. A big expansion of the tournament can and will change everything.

WORK CITED:
“Concerns: 2026 FIFA World Cup.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 2026. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_FIFA_World_Cup#Concerns>