A Spain win would boost South Korea's chances of advancing

Spain's Lamine Yamal plays in a 2026 FIFA North, Central America and Caribbean World Cup Group H match against Saudi Arabia at Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 22. [AFP]
Spain's Lamine Yamal plays in a 2026 FIFA North, Central America and Caribbean World Cup Group H match against Saudi Arabia at Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 22. [AFP]

Spain and Uruguay face off Saturday morning at Estadio Guadalajara in Mexico in their Group H finale at the 2026 FIFA North, Central America and Caribbean World Cup.

Both sides have clear incentives to win. Spain lead the group with one win and one draw and need a victory to secure top spot, which would allow them to avoid facing another group winner in the round of 32 and instead be drawn against a runner-up.

Uruguay find themselves in a precarious position after drawing both previous matches — against Saudi Arabia and Cabo Verde, opponents widely considered weaker sides. Failing to beat Spain would likely end their tournament.

With so much at stake, both teams are expected to field their strongest lineups. Spain will start Baena, Oyarzabal, Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Rodri, Merino, Cucurella, Cubarsí, Laporte, Llorente and Simón.

The player to watch is, by far, Lamine Yamal. The FC Barcelona forward recorded 16 goals and 11 assists in 28 league appearances last season. Also worth watching are Pedri and Rodri — the midfield engines of Barcelona and Manchester City, respectively.

Uruguay will counter with Real Madrid midfielder Fede Valverde, Bentancur (Tottenham) — a former teammate of Son Heung-min — and Araújo, Núñez, Canobio, Ugarte, Sanabria, Olivera, Cáceres, Varela and Muslera.

For South Korea, a Spain victory Saturday would be the ideal outcome. In this expanded 48-team World Cup, the top eight third-place finishers across all groups advance to the round of 32. South Korea currently sit seventh in that standings race.


yeongdai@heraldcorp.com