Spain and Saudi Arabia face off this evening, with pre-tournament favourites hoping to erase the embarrassment of drawing with minnows Cape Verde last time out.
The Saudis are coming off the back of an impressive draw with Uruguay. With both sides earning a single point from their first games, a win here would put either of them on the brink of the knockouts.
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Luis De la Fuente will hope to win against another side low in the FIFA rankings this time round, after 64th-placed Cape Verde’s stunning rearguard action, led by 40-year-old goalkeeper Vazinho.
Saudi Arabia, ranked 59th, will look to reach the knockouts for the first time since the 1994 World Cup - also held in the USA.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Spain vs Saudi Arabia is scheduled for a 5pm BST kick-off today, Sunday, June 21, 2026.
The match will take place at the Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
Where to watch Spain vs Saudi Arabia for FREE
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on BBC One with coverage starting at 4.30pm BST.
Live stream: UK viewers can also catch the contest live online via BBC iPlayer or the channel’s website.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog.
Free highlights: World Cup highlights are available on FIFA’s official YouTube channel, along with BBC iPlayer and their websites.
Spain vs Saudi Arabia team news
Young wingers Lamine Yamal, 18, and Nico Williams, 23, both came off the bench in Spain’s draw with Cape Verde after suffering late-season injuries. De la Fuente will hope he can start at least one of them - if not both.
Unai Simon will continue to start in goal, despite David Raya’s excellent performances for Arsenal this season.
Spain squad: Unai Simon, David Raya, Joan Garcia, Marcos Llorente, Marc Pubill, Pedro Porro, Aymeric Laporte, Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, Marc Cucurella, Alejandro Grimaldo, Rodri, Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, Pedri, Gavi, Fabian Ruiz, Alex Baen, Yeremy Pino, Victor Munoz, Mikel Oyarzabal, Ferran Torres, Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Nico Williams, Borja Iglesias.
Salem Al-Dawsari, who scored in Saudi Arabia’s famous 2-1 win over Argentina in Qatar 2022, could contribute to another giant-killing here.
Abdulelah Al Amri scored their only goal in the Uruguay match and will want to net again.
Saudi Arabia squad: Mohammed Al Owais, Nawaf Al Aqidi, Ahmed Al Kassar, Abdulelah Al Amri, Hassan Tambakti, Jehad Thikri, Ali Lajami, Hassan Kadesh, Saud Abdulhamid, Mohammed Abu Al Shamat, Ali Majrashi, Moteb Al Harbi, Nawaf Boushal, Sultan Al-Ghannam, Mohammed Kanno, Abdullah Al Khaibari, Ziyad Al Johani, Salem Al-Dawsari, Musab Al Juwayr, Alaa Al Hajji, Salem Al Dawsari, Khalid Al Ghannam, Ayman Yahya, Firas Al Buraikan, Saleh Al Shehri, Abdullah Al Hamdan.
Spain vs Saudi Arabia prediction
Spain cannot afford anything other than a win here even if it doesn't immediately rule them out of reaching the knockouts.
A win over Uruguay in the final group game could still see La Roja through, but if they drew against both Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia - how could they expect to beat Marcelo Bielsa’s men?
We do not see the Spaniards slipping up anyway. One of Williams and Yamal should start, to power their stuttering attack to a much-needed victory.
Spain 3-1 Saudi Arabia
Head to head (h2h) history and results
Spain wins: 3
Saudi Arabia wins: 0
Draws: 0
Spain vs Saudi Arabia match odds
Spain to win: 1/12
Saudi Arabia to win: 18/1
Draw: 7/1
Odds via UK betting sites (subject to change).
