Cape Verde face 2010 World Cup champions Spain

Spain will kick off their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign on June 15 as one of the tournament favorites, facing World Cup debutants Cape Verde in a highly anticipated Group Stage encounter. 

The reigning European champions arrive with significant expectations, while Cape Verde aim to continue their remarkable rise on the global stage and create one of the tournament’s biggest surprises.

According to Opta’s pre-tournament supercomputer, Spain enter the competition with the highest probability of lifting the trophy, holding a 16 percent chance of becoming world champions. 

However, despite their status as favorites, La Roja’s recent World Cup record raises some concerns. 

Spain have failed to progress beyond the Round of 16 in each of their last three World Cup appearances, with their 2010 triumph remaining the only time they have reached the semi-finals across their last 14 appearances at the tournament.

Luis de la Fuente’s side will be hoping to put those disappointments behind them and make a strong statement in their opening match. 

While Spain possess a squad filled with quality and international experience, questions remain about whether they can translate their continental success into a deep World Cup run.

For Cape Verde, the match represents a historic moment as the African nation prepares for its first-ever World Cup appearance. 

Since becoming a FIFA member following independence in 1975, the Blue Sharks have steadily improved on the international stage and finally secured qualification for football’s biggest tournament after years of near misses.

Cape Verde arrive in confident form despite being considered underdogs. Their ultimate objective is to become the first African team since Ghana in 2006 to reach the knockout rounds on their World Cup debut. 

Having won six of their last seven World Cup qualifying matches and recording comfortable 3-0 victories in both pre-tournament friendlies, the newcomers believe they have the momentum and belief needed to challenge Spain and potentially produce a memorable upset.