World Cup Group H Betting Preview | Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde

World Cup Group H Preview

Did you know…In the early 2000s, GoldSheet had a sister publication named European Soccer Weekly?! Long before every European soccer (cough football) match was broadcast in the US on ESPN, Peacock and Paramount, Bruce Marshall and Co. were breaking down the action on the pitch. Bruce shares his thoughts on World Cup Group H, which features a pair of heavyweights.

World Cup Group H Odds

Team	Win the Group	Round of 16	Win the Tournament
Spain	-425	-370	+470
Uruguay	+410	+130	+6000
Saudi Arabia	+4000	+800	+250000
Cape Verde	+5500	+1600	+250000

Odds above courtesy of FanDuel as of June 5.

Spain

Discussions about World Cup Group H begin and end with Spain, the Euro 2024 holders and winners of four international tourneys since 2008. The success two years ago in Germany still resonates, and after a comfy UEFA qualifying campaign “La Furia Roja” is rated a top choice by several outlets to win the World Cup.

The riches at Luis de la Fuente’s disposal are bountiful, bolstered by a style change instituted by de la Fuente himself a few years ago in the Euro 2024 qualifiers. Specifically, no longer “passing for passing’s sake” or the mesmserizing “tike-taka” as perfected in the three straight tourney crowns between 2008-12 featuring the Barcelona influence and interpreted masterfully by midfield magicians Xavi and Iniesta.

The “new” Spain would attack more directly and not concern itself as much with simple possession; de la Fuente, who coached most of the side during their U-20 and U-23 careers, correctly gauged the talent on hand. The “new Spain” would attack with electricity on the flanks in particular, with new-found electric pace and the sort of distorting elements to pull apart oppositing defenses in a much different manner than the Xavi-Iniesta sides.

At the Euros, de la Fuente made the most of Nico Williams and especially teenage sensation Lamine Yamal on the wings, their ability to stretch defenses suddenly pulling apart the opposition and creating the lanes for several big goals, including Mikel Oyarzabal’s beauty in the final minutes to pip England at Berlin in the 2024 final.

At full strength, Spain has enough petrol to outscore anyone in the field, but that’s also the kicker, as Williams endured an injury-marred campaign at Athletic Bilbao, and Lamine Yamal’s pulled hamstring sidelined him for the final month-plus of the Liga campaign at Barcelona. Add in midfield ace Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner who has has numberous injury woes the past two seasons at Man City, and the seeds for Spain undershooting its objectives are planted…we’ll see if they bloom.

All three are available and on the squad for the World Cup, but de la Fuente is also playing it carefully, not starting any of that trio in the recent warm-up friendly vs. Iran. If all hands are on deck and pistons firing, Spain looks the best team this summer and a worthy favorite…but de la Fuente is also crossing his fingers that his top charges are going to be ready to go at full-speed.

Uruguay

Always capable of causing a stir, the two-time champions (a long time ago..1930 & 1950) can become a nuisance with their trademark physical style, and veteran gaffer Marcelo Bielsa remains a crafty tactician. “El Loco” however hasn’t endured a smooth ride lately, as vet striker Luis Suarez was left off the squad and caused a stir in Montevideo because of it.

Moreover, the CONMEBOL qualifying campaign had many highs and lows, with the highs mostly coming early (such as home wins over Brazil and Argentina) and lows later on, with only one win in a nine-match stretch that included a four-match goalless run. A 5-1 friendly loss to USA last November might have been the deepest slip into the abyss, though results since suggest something of a recovery.

The clear second-choice in this group behind Spain, Uruguay could well find itself in the knockout phase with an immediate match in the Round of 32 vs. old-enemy Argentina. Bielsa will be looking toward Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde, scorer of a hat-trick in the Champions League vs. Man City at the Bernabeu in March, to supply the magical moments, but a deep run thru the KO phase seems unlikely.

Saudi Arabia

It’s hard to remember that the Sauids actually beat Argentina in the group phase of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, though the campaign fizzled aftterwards, making it 0-for-5 to qualify for the knockout phase at Copa Mundial.

This will be a third straight World Cup appearance, however, and the mastermind of the Aregntina upset, French coach Herve Renard, returned to the fold after Roberto Mancini’s 14-month stint fizzled in late 2024. Yet qualifying thru AFC (Asia) was hardly straightforward, taking the long route thru a fourth round, a laborious journey finally secured by edging out Indonesia and Iraq on goals scored.

On the pitch, the Saudis look a good bet to be involved in lower-scoring affairs, beginning with their June 15 match vs. Uruguay in Miami; in the last 12 qualifiers, the Sauids bagged only 13 goals, though shipping only 10 goals in the same span.

Much of the starting XI comes from the Saudi Pro League, but Cristiano Ronaldo isn’t one of them. Chance at qualification for the knockout phase likely comes down to the last group match vs . Cape Verde in Houston on June 27.

Cape Verde

First-time World Cup participants with the third-smallest population (behind only Iceland and fellow 2026 World Cup debutante Curacao), Cape Verde seems one of the entries to have been able to benefit from the expanded (to 48) World Cup field and extra qualifying spots awarded to CAF (Africa). The “Blue Sharks” seem more likely to add some color to the festivities than set the tourney alight on the field.

Still, CAF observers suggest the side could provide a surprise or two, with a far-flung diaspora of players born in places like France, Portugal, and the Netherlands, with ancestral roots tracing to Cape Verde. Of those, Daillon Livarmonte (one of those born in Holland), property of Serie A Verona but on loan this past season at Casa Pia in Portugal, has scored seven goals in 20 national team appearances, and regional observers remain impressed with veteran coach “Bubista” Brito, who has forged much camaraderie and fighting spirit within his troops who play their club football all around the globe.

After navigating thru the Tricky CAF qualifiers, Cape Verde cannot be dismissed from having a chance to qualify for the knockout phase, given that eight third-place sides will advance. Spain seems out of reach, as might Uruguay, though a win over the Saudis might be enough to get an invite to the Round of 32.

World Cup Group H Recommended Wagers

Spain: Best Bet – Exactly 9 points in group play at +110. Bigger Price Watch – To make final +225, to win World Cup +450, Spain leading scorer (must win) Ferran Torres at +450.

Uruguay: Best Bet – To go out at Round of 32 at -110. Bigger Price Watch – Uruguay leading scorer (must win) Federico Valverde at +500.

Saudi Arabia: Best Bet – To finish bottom of group +125.

Cape Verde: Best Bet – To qualify for the Round of 32 at +162. Bigger Price Watch – Cape Verde top scorer (must win) Dailon Livramento at +500.

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