The countdown continues and with less than two weeks now to wait until World Cup 2026 kicks off, all eyes are on the favourites to lift the world crown, and some new faces joining the global elite for the very first time.
Group H is a cracker, comprising Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde, the extremes of international football. La Roja are European champions and the favourites to win the World Cup; Uruguay a legendary South American giant, Saudi Arabia an emerging challenger and Cape Verde a story of minnows making magic.
There will be plenty of drama and romance in this group, so this is a good time to take a closer look at three of the Group H stars who will light up our screens very soon.
Pedri: Spain
With 165 appearances for Barcelona and 40 for Spain it is incredible to think that midfield maestro Pedri is still only 23 years of age, as captain of the Blaugrana after his recovery from injury this year. A three times La Liga winner and European Champion with Spain in 2024, Pedri has been in the La Liga Team of the Season three times already. While the attacking flair of Lamine Yamal and Raphinha has got fans off their seats in Catalonia it is the control and leadership ability of Pedri which ensures the whole team functions well, and his return to action was a huge factor in Barcelona’s successful title defence.
With exceptional technical ability and speed of thought Pedri can dictate the pace of play, often operating in a free midfield role, though his tackling ability and reading of the game means he can also play as a more defensive midfielder or go deep to pick up the ball. With Manchester City ace Rodri now fit and firing, Pedri is likely to be seen further forward in support of the attack. He can also play on either flank and, as well as scoring his fair share of goals, Pedri is a great source of supply for the La Roja strikers.
The SBOTOP World Cup 2026 betting odds have installed Spain as the outright favourites and if Pedri puts his mark on the tournament they will take some stopping.
Federico Valverde: Uruguay
Real Madrid’s central midfielder Valverde will come into the competition with fire in his heart after Los Blancos fell short again in the Primera Division chase. The 27 year old Madrid stalwart made his international debut for Uruguay back in 2017 and he has been one of the nation’s mainstays ever since. Uruguay finished fourth in the CONMEBOL qualifying table, level on points with Colombia and ending up above Brazil. Valverde has represented Uruguay at three Copa Americas, latterly in 2024 and he starred at the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar. With nine goals in 73 appearances for his country Valverde can play in the centre of midfield or as an attacking right back, known for his versatility and pace.
A fiery character, the Uruguay star allegedly punched Villarreal winger Alex Baena in the Santiago Bernabeu car park following a controversial La Liga match in 2023, but the case was dismissed by magistrates in July, two months after the end of the campaign. Like Pedri, he has won three La Liga titles and been in the Primera Division Team for the Year three times, and his passion and motivation will be a key factor for Uruguay in the USA.
Ryan Mendes: Cape Verde
Surely one of the proudest men who will be at the 2026 World Cup in North America will be Cape Verde captain and superstar Ryan Mendes. This is a nation with no household names, but Mendes has played at the highest domestic level, and this is the pinnacle of his career. Cape Verde’s first ever qualification is already one of the biggest World Cup 2026 news stories and it has captured the imagination of football fans worldwide. The Blue Sharks played their first ever game in 1978 and reached the AFCON quarter finals in both 2013 and 2023. And when Cape Verde qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time, they became the smallest country by land area and the second least populated to qualify for the World Cup, only Iceland had a smaller population. Curacao broke these records five weeks later so Cape Verde are now the second smallest nation at the showcase; and to face Spain and Uruguay will be a dream come true.
The team is managed by Bubsita and with Mendes as captain, the most capped player with 22 goals in 96 appearances, and the nation is bursting with pride. The 36 year old winger currently plays for Igdir in the Turkish league, and has also played for Lille and Nottingham Forest, so he can tell his team-mates of heroics gone by.
Now it is their turn to make their own history.
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