Former world champions Spain take on Austria in a round-of-32 clash in the 2026 World Cup at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Thursday. Spain finished top of Group H with a 1-0 win over Uruguay on Saturday,

Spain's Group H title created a bizarre World Cup scenario where both Austria and Algeria may benefit from not winning their final group stage match.

Cape Verde finished the group stage undefeated with three draws, and became the smallest nation to earn a spot in the knockout round.

When two former World Cup champions clashed, AP photojournalist Ricardo Mazalan expected the Spain-Uruguay to be an intense, hard-fought contest — especially with Uruguay trying to avoid elimination.

Baena scored to give Spain a 1-0 lead in a critical Group H World Cup finale. Watch video of the goal that could make all the difference.

World Cup 2026 odds for Portugal, Germany, Mexico, USA, France, Canada, Spain, Brazil, England, Argentina, Netherlands, Belgium, others to win event.