Spain breathes in Washington. From the start, at least, the group stage draw for the upcoming World Cup smiled on Luis de la Fuente’s boys. La Roja participates in Group H with Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde and Uruguay. None of the three teams present themselves as a bogeyman capable of debating the hierarchy of the current European champions, the team at the top of the FIFA rankings; That is, he is seeded in the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The second good news for De La Fuente is no longer in competition, but in travel, after the Union prioritized choosing Chicago as a base for the expedition. Although the schedule has not yet been confirmed, Spain will play its first two matches at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami and Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, both in the Eastern Conference; For the third, you’ll have to travel west: NRG Stadium in Houston and Chivas Stadium in Guadalajara.
However, there is a situation that may worry La Roja. In the round of 16, Group H will meet Group J, Argentina, Austria, Algeria and Jordan. If CV prevails and the Roja and Albiceleste teams top their groups, they will only meet in a virtual final between the two best-ranked teams in the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) classification, the European and American champions, respectively. However, if one of them suffers a setback in their group, they may find themselves at the first opportunity at a crossroads. The rivals of the current world champion in the group stage could intimidate Messi and his teammates, especially Austria and Algeria, in any case, Jordan.
Spain’s voyage via the United States, Mexico and Canada will begin on June 15 off Cape Verde. A historic match for the African team: It became the second least populous team to reach the World Cup finals, after Iceland’s achievement in Russia 2018. The “Blue Fish” team secured its ranking in first place in Group D in the African qualifiers, achieving seven wins, two draws and one loss. The African team, led by Ryan Mendes (Igdir FK, Turkish Second Division) and Daylon Rocha Liveramento (Casa Pia, Portuguese First), is coached by Bobista, who played for Badajoz in the 1995-96 season.
The second stop for La Roja will be against Saudi Arabia. Hervé Renard’s team, which surprised the world by defeating Messi and his teammates in Argentina’s first match in Qatar 2022, no longer has the fibers of the past. On his way to the World Cup, he had to turn to the French coach again after Roberto Mancini failed to lead the Asian national team. This will be a new challenge for Renard, and also for Saudi Arabia, which will play in the World Cup for the sixth time.
But Saudi Arabia, nor the Cape Verdean team making its debut, have a Uruguayan past. The Charrúas will be Spain’s third opponent in the United States. La Celeste’s history is scary, although their record against Spain is not: they have never beaten them in their 10 matches. In their last match, Marcelo Bielsa’s side fell to the United States 5-1, a devastating blow that reopened old friction between the dressing room and the Argentine coach. “Let’s hope the problems between the players and the coach are resolved,” asked Diego Forlan, winner of the World Cup Ballon d’Or that Spain won in 2010. The Uruguay team finished fourth in the US qualifiers, behind Argentina, Ecuador and Colombia. Bielsa stressed: “I have the same strength from day one to continue with the Uruguay national team until the World Cup.” The Argentine is confident, breathing de la Fuente, that he will face a Cinderella (Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia) and a history in conflict (Uruguay).