By Opta Analyst | Created at 2026-06-20 15:36:10 | Updated at 2026-06-23 17:07:50
3 days ago
Spain will feel they have a point to prove against Saudi Arabia after a disappointing opening draw with Cape Verde at World Cup 2026. Look ahead to this Group H contest with our Spain vs Saudi Arabia prediction and preview.
Spain vs Saudi Arabia: The Key Insights
- Spain are considered the overwhelming favourites by the Opta supercomputer for this fixture, with a win probability of 86.7% to Saudi Arabia’s 4.3%.
- La Roja have completed exactly 2,500 passes and taken 49 shots since their last World Cup goal.
- Mohammed Al Owais made nine saves for Saudi Arabia against Uruguay on Matchday 1.
Spain will be itching to prove a point when they go up against Saudi Arabia in their second match of Group H at the 2026 World Cup.
Luis de la Fuente’s European champions are fancied by many to be lifting the trophy at New York New Jersey Stadium on 19 July.
But their tournament started in hugely disappointing fashion, as they were held to a goalless draw by tournament debutants Cape Verde, with veteran goalkeeper Vozinha and a stoic defence in front of him frustrating Spain’s superstars.
The attention now switches to Sunday’s contest at Atlanta Stadium, where La Roja will hope to lay down a marker and re-emphasise their status among the pre-tournament favourites.
However, there will be a slight concern for Spain, who have now failed to win any of their last four World Cup games (D3, L1) – their joint-longest winless streak in the competition.
Moreover, they have won just two of nine matches across the last three editions, losing once and drawing the other six.
Their last two World Cup games have ended goalless; Spain have never gone three matches without scoring in the competition. Since scoring in the 11th minute against Japan on Matchday 3 of the 2022 group stage, they have completed exactly 2,500 passes and taken 49 shots, but to no avail.
Spain had 74.3% possession in the Cape Verde draw, which represents the fourth-highest figure on record (since 1966) by a team that failed to score in a World Cup match. One of those other three highest possession shares came in their previous game in the competition against Morocco in 2022 (76.8%).
Lamine Yamal might hope for a more prominent role having been named on the bench against Cape Verde as he continues to build up his fitness after injury. On MD1, he attempted the most dribbles despite only coming on in the 71st minute (5). By contrast, Spain’s starting wingers, Gavi (0) and Ferran Torres (3), only attempted three between them.
Teammate Rodri made six defensive line-breaking passes in the game, the most of any player across groups A-H. He also made five line-breaking passes leading to a shot, the joint-most in the opening round of World Cup games by any player in those groups, alongside Türkiye’s Hakan Çalhanoglu.
Saudi Arabia took an important point in a 1-1 draw against Uruguay in their opening Group H match, which may be especially important given Cape Verde’s unexpected draw against Spain.
Abdulelah Al Amri put Georgios Donis’ side ahead in the 41st minute, but Maxi Araújo equalised for the South American outfit just 10 minutes from time.
Saudi Arabia allowed Uruguay to have 41 touches in their box in that game, their most against in a World Cup match since France had 46 in 1998.
They also faced 47 crosses (including corners), their joint-most in a single match in the competition (also 47 against Belgium in 1994).
Goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais was busy between the sticks, making nine saves in the match. Only Mabrouk Zayed versus Spain in 2006 has ever recorded more in a World Cup match for Saudi Arabia (11).
Al Owais has prevented three goals across his five appearances in the competition (10.0 xGOT, 7 conceded), though is yet to keep a clean sheet.
Saudi Arabia will be looking to go unbeaten across their first two matchdays for the first time, with this their seventh participation.
Spain vs Saudi Arabia Head-to-Head
Spain have gone head-to-head with Saudi Arabia on three prior occasions and triumphed each time, scoring nine goals and conceding just two.
Those victories included a 1-0 win in their only previous World Cup encounter, which took place in the group stage of the 2006 tournament.
Saudi Arabia have faced European opposition at the World Cup on 11 occasions, losing 10 of those.
However, their solitary victory did, coincidentally, take place in the United States, with Saudi Arabia emerging 1-0 victors over Belgium in Washington back in 1994. The game was notable for a sensational solo goal from Saeed Al-Owairan, who dribbled the ball from his own half before scoring the winner.
Spain vs Saudi Arabia Prediction
Spain may have started their tournament in less-than-impressive fashion, but they are still the obvious favourites with the Opta supercomputer to triumph in this clash.
Indeed, they are given an 86.7% win probability, compared to just 4.3% for Saudi Arabia, with the draw considered a 9.0% shot.
Spain vs Saudi Arabia Squads
Spain: David Raya, Joan García, Unai Simón, Marc Pubill, Alejandro Grimaldo, Eric García, Pedro Porro, Aymeric Laporte, Pau Cubarsí, Marc Cucurella, Marcos Llorente, Mikel Merino, Fabián Ruiz, Gavi, Dani Olmo, Yéremy Pino, Álex Baena, Rodri, Martín Zubimendi, Pedri, Ferran Torres, Nico Williams, Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal, Víctor Muñoz, Borja Iglesias.
Saudi Arabia: Nawaf Al Aqidi, Mohammed Al Owais, Ahmed Al Kassar, Ali Majrashi, Ali Lajami, Abdulelah Al Amri, Hassan Al Tambakti, Saud Abdulhamid, Nawaf Bu Washl, Hassan Kadish, Moteb Al Harbi, Jehad Thikri, Nasser Al Dawsari, Musab Al Juwayr, Aiman Yahya, Salem Al Dawsari, Abdullah Al Khaibari, Ziyad Al Johani, Alaa Al Hejji, Mohamed Kanno, Mohammed Abu Al Shamat, Feras Al Brikan, Saleh Al Shehri, Khalid Al Ghannam, Abdullah Al Hamddan, Sultan Mandash.
Spain vs Saudi Arabia Predicted Lineups
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