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Arun - June 21, 2026
Spain and Saudi Arabia meet at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday afternoon in a Group H fixture that has taken on enormous importance after a chaotic opening matchday.
Our Spain vs Saudi Arabia prediction has the full breakdown. The European champions were held to a goalless draw by debutants Cape Verde despite having 27 shots, while Saudi Arabia earned a creditable 1-1 draw with Uruguay.
With all four sides level on one point, both teams know that only a win here puts them in control of their own qualification destiny.
Victor Munoz is the one confirmed absence for Luis de la Fuente. The 22-year-old entered the tournament already managing a muscle problem and was unused against Cape Verde while following an individual training programme.
He suffered a further muscle strain during training this week, and the RFEF confirmed he is ruled out of this fixture. Munoz completed a 40 million euro transfer to Liverpool during the tournament week and now faces a race to be fit for the knockout stages.
The headline selection question concerns Lamine Yamal. The 18-year-old Barcelona winger has been managing a hamstring injury that ended his club season early and ruled him out of the remainder of Barcelona’s campaign.
He returned to the bench against Cape Verde and came on in the 71st minute for his first competitive minutes since April. Yamal addressed his fitness directly in the build-up to this match, telling TVE: he is feeling good but that it is too soon and unnecessary to play a full game. He will again be used from the bench, with De la Fuente managing his minutes carefully.
Nico Williams is expected to come into the starting eleven after also featuring late against Cape Verde. The Athletic Bilbao winger slots in on the left, with Ferran Torres and Gavi dropping to the bench.
Mikel Oyarzabal leads the line, with Pedri in the number ten role behind him. Rodri and Fabian Ruiz continue as the midfield double pivot. David Simon continues in goal, with the back four of Marcos Llorente, Pau Cubarsi, Aymeric Laporte and Marc Cucurella unchanged.
Formation: 4-3-3
GK: David Simon
Defenders: Marcos Llorente, Pau Cubarsi, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella
Midfield: Fabian Ruiz, Rodri, Pedri
Forwards: Nico Williams, Mikel Oyarzabal, Ferran Torres
Key bench: Lamine Yamal
Georgios Donis has no injuries or suspensions to contend with and is expected to name an unchanged side from the team that earned a point against Uruguay. Saudi Arabia’s performance in Miami was disciplined and composed.
They took the lead through Abdulelah Al-Amri in the 41st minute before Maximiliano Araujo equalised late for Uruguay, but the result was a creditable one against a strong South American side.
Mohammed Al-Owais continues in goal, having kept Saudi Arabia in the contest at times against Uruguay.
The back four of Saud Abdulhamid, Hassan Al-Tambakti, Abdulelah Al-Amri and Abdullah Al-Harbi is retained. Mohamed Kanno, who brings 80 international caps to the midfield, anchors alongside Abdullah Al-Khaibari. Abdullah Al-Shamat and captain Salem Al-Dawsari provide the wide threat.
Firas Al-Buraikan leads the Saudi attack with 16 international goals from 73 appearances and showed against Uruguay that he can contribute to build-up play as well as finishing.
Saleh Al-Juwayr supports him in attack. Saudi Arabia’s plan here is clear: sit deep, stay compact, and look to punish Spain on the counter. They saw Cape Verde hold Spain scoreless for 90 minutes with exactly that approach, and Donis will believe his side can cause a similar disruption.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
GK: Mohammed Al-Owais
Defenders: Saud Abdulhamid, Hassan Al-Tambakti, Abdulelah Al-Amri, Abdullah Al-Harbi
Midfield: Mohamed Kanno, Abdullah Al-Khaibari
Attacking mid: Abdullah Al-Shamat, Salem Al-Dawsari
Forward: Firas Al-Buraikan, Saleh Al-Juwayr
