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The Group D clash between Spain and Cape Verde at the 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to be one of the most captivating encounters of the tournament.

The Spanish national team enters the competition with an impressive reputation as one of the strongest contenders for the world title.

On the other hand, Cape Verde are set to make their historic debut at the world’s biggest football event, marking a major milestone for the island nation.

In terms of squad quality and match experience, La Roja clearly have the upper hand and are widely favoured to secure all three points.

Under coach Luis de la Fuente, Spain have maintained an outstanding record, remaining unbeaten since March 2024.

This consistent streak of positive results has given Spain immense confidence heading into the 2026 World Cup.

Interestingly, despite not including any players from Real Madrid, Spain’s depth and overall squad strength remain formidable.

De la Fuente has chosen to rely heavily on Barcelona’s core players, who have dominated domestic competitions over the past two seasons.

Star names such as Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Gavi, Dani Olmo, Ferran Torres, Eric Garcia, and Pau Cubarsi are all key figures in the Spanish setup.

All eyes will be on the young wing sensation Lamine Yamal, widely tipped to become one of the breakout stars of the 2026 World Cup following his exceptional performances.

Spanish defender Pedro Porro openly praised Yamal’s extraordinary talent, stating that having such a dangerous player in the squad is a privilege for everyone.

In their last four friendlies since March 2026, Spain recorded two wins and two draws. Although they were held by Egypt and Iraq, those results are not seen as a true reflection of their strength.

Spain have consistently proven themselves as one of the most reliable footballing nations in recent years.

During the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, La Roja recorded five wins and one draw, scoring an impressive 21 goals.

Their triumph at EURO 2024 further reinforced their ability to handle pressure in major tournaments.

Meanwhile, Cape Verde approach this game with high enthusiasm despite being labelled the underdogs.

This 2026 World Cup marks the Blue Sharks’ first-ever appearance at the tournament, a monumental achievement for the African island nation.

Their qualification for the finals is already a historic milestone, and they are determined to make the most of the opportunity.

Spain’s defence must not underestimate Cape Verde’s potential, as they topped their qualifying group in the African zone with a strong performance.

Out of 10 matches, Cape Verde collected seven wins, two draws, and suffered only one defeat.

Many of their players ply their trade in European leagues, including Villarreal defender Logan Costa, who is seen as a key figure in their squad.

Score Prediction

Given the notable difference in experience and overall quality, Spain are heavily favoured to win this group-stage match. Cape Verde are expected to adopt a defensive strategy to contain Spain’s attacking power.

Based on the current form and tactical analysis of both sides, the predicted scoreline for Spain vs Cape Verde in Group D of the 2026 World Cup stands at 3-0 or 4-1 in favour of Spain.

Here are score predictions from several leading football analysis sites:

• Sportsmole: Spain 3-0 Cape Verde
• Whoscored: Spain 3-0 Cape Verde
• Football Whispers: Spain 4-1 Cape Verde

Head-to-Head

This Group D encounter at the 2026 World Cup will mark the first-ever meeting between Spain and Cape Verde. The two nations have never faced each other before, either in competitive matches or friendlies.

Spain’s Last 5 Matches:

09/06/2026: Peru 1-3 Spain (Friendly)
05/06/2026: Spain 1-1 Iraq (Friendly)
01/04/2026: Spain 0-0 Egypt (Friendly)
28/03/2026: Spain 3-0 Serbia (Friendly)
19/11/2025: Spain 2-2 Turkey (Qualifiers)

Cape Verde’s Last 5 Matches:

07/06/2026: Cape Verde 3-0 Bermuda (Friendly)
31/05/2026: Cape Verde 3-0 Serbia (Friendly)
30/03/2026: Cape Verde 1-1 Finland (Penalties 4-2) (Friendly)
27/03/2026: Chile 4-2 Cape Verde (Friendly)
17/11/2025: Egypt 1-1 Cape Verde (Penalties 2-0) (Qualifiers)

Probable Line-ups

Coach Luis de la Fuente is expected to deploy his most attacking formation to secure an early three points, while Cape Verde’s coach Bubista will likely rely on quick counter-attacks driven by creativity in midfield.

Predicted starting line-ups for both teams:

Spain (4-3-3): Simon; Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Ruiz, Rodri, Pedri; F Torres, Oyarzabal, Baena.
Coach: Luis de la Fuente
Cape Verde (4-2-3-1): Vozinha; Moreira, Costa, Pico, Paulo; Semedo, Pina; Mendes, Monteiro, Cabral; Dailon.
Coach: Bubista

Fans in Pangkalpinang Disappointed

Meanwhile, the opening Group D match between Australia and Turkey at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, Canada, on Sunday (14 June 2026) turned into a thrilling and unexpected battle. The Socceroos defied predictions to claim a crucial victory, leaving fans in Pangkalpinang disappointed.

Turkey started aggressively, taking the initiative early on, but their attacking focus backfired. From a swift counter-attack down the left flank, young Australian winger Nestory Irankunda fired a precise shot that beat Turkish goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir, giving Australia a 1-0 lead.

Trailing by a goal, Turkey dominated possession and pressed hard for an equaliser, but Australia’s rock-solid defence maintained their lead until halftime.

In the second half, Turkey continued to control the game, yet they struggled to convert their dominance into goals. Against the run of play, Australia doubled their advantage through a stunning long-range strike from Connor Metcalfe, who blasted a powerful left-footed shot past Cakir.

Historically, Turkey had always maintained a superior head-to-head record against Australia, but that record was broken at BC Place. The match ended 2-0 in favour of the Socceroos.

The unexpected result left many football fans in Pangkalpinang, Bangka Belitung Islands Province, disappointed after watching the game together in a public viewing event on Sunday (14 June 2026) afternoon local time.

One local fan, Antok, admitted that the opening match was thrilling. He revealed that he had been supporting Turkey, hoping they could avenge Indonesia’s earlier defeat to Australia in the qualifiers.

“I don’t know what to say. Australia’s defence was just too strong. Turkey tried repeatedly but couldn’t score. Maybe it just wasn’t their day,” said Antok on Sunday (14 June 2026).

Antok added that both teams have evolved significantly, with new squads and different coaching styles compared to their previous meetings. Despite his disappointment, he hopes Turkey can bounce back in their next fixture.

“I hope Turkey can evaluate their performance and still manage to qualify from Group D of the 2026 World Cup,” he concluded.