Spain vs. Cabo Verde—World Cup: Live Score and Match Stats

The 13th game of the 2026 World Cup sees the 2010 winners take to the field for the first time.

It’s a real case of David vs. Goliath in Atlanta. | Kristian Skeie/UEFA/Getty Images, Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images, Maddie Meyer/FIFA/Getty Images

Spain and Cabo Verde have never faced each other before, and their first-ever meeting in Group H at the 2026 World Cup presents a daunting challenge for the West African nation.

World Cup winner and reigning European champion versus World Cup debutant. One of international soccer’s traditional powerhouses against one of the tournament’s newest arrivals. A squad packed with world-class talent versus a team featuring players many casual fans may be unfamiliar with. Second in the FIFA World Rankings versus 67th.

On paper, the gulf between the two sides is significant. That said, Spain does not arrive in perfect form. In its final three friendlies before the tournament, La Roja was held to draws by both Egypt and Iraq before eventually returning to winning ways with a 3–1 victory over Peru.

Cabo Verde, meanwhile, heads into its World Cup debut full of confidence. The Blue Sharks followed up qualification with impressive 3–0 wins over both Serbia and Bermuda, results that have only strengthened belief within the squad ahead of the biggest challenge in the nation’s soccer history.

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