Spain vs Cape Verde: World Cup preview, predictions and bet builder tips

• Fixture: Spain vs Cape Verde

• Competition: World Cup group stage (Group H)

• Date: Monday, 15 June, 2026

• Kick-off: 17:00 BST

• Venue: Atlanta Stadium, Georgia, USA

Our prediction: Spain 4-0 Cape Verde

Spain

Our predicted XI (4-3-3): Simon / Llorente, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella / Ruiz, Rodri, Pedri / Torres, Oyarzabal, Baena

Cape Verde

Our predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Vozinha / W. Pina, Costa, Borges, S. Cabral / Duarte, K. Pina / J. Cabral, Monteiro, Varela / Livramento

For the first leg of our Spain vs Cape Verde bet builder, we're backing Mikel Oyarzabal to score his first-ever World Cup goal, helping his country get off to the perfect start in Group H.

Nine goals in his last eight international appearances have the 29-year-old arriving in North America among the favourites to win the Golden Boot - ahead of both Erling Haaland and Cristiano Ronaldo - with another prolific season for Real Sociedad also adding to his already glowing reputation. Oyarzabal was Spain's top scorer in qualifying with six goals in as many games, and with the likes of Pedri and Alex Baena creating the chances this summer, he's primed to make his mark as Luis de la Fuente's starting striker in North America.

With 25 goals in 53 games for his country, Oyarzabal's record cannot be underestimated, so we're backing the Spaniard to add to his tally with a goal against Cape Verde.

From one Spanish attacker to another, Ferran Torres is likely to be deployed from the wing against Cape Verde due to the expected absence of Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams - but that won't stop him driving towards goal, with our experts tipping Torres to have at least three shots on target.

Like Oyarzabal, the 26-year-old has an excellent goalscoring record for his country with 24 goals in 57 appearances, and having scored a career-best 21 goals for Barcelona last season, the confidence to try his luck will be clear for all to see. Torres averaged almost two shots on target per 90 in the 2025/26 La Liga campaign, and attempted more than three shots per game, so against one of the World Cup's weakest defences, we expect him to let fly whenever he gets the chance.

As a result, we're tipping 3+ shots on target for Ferran Torres in the Group H clash with Cape Verde, as he looks to bring his clinical club form onto the international stage.

For the next pick in our Spain vs Cape Verde bet builder, we're tipping Cape Verde defender Diney Borges to be shown a yellow card in the biggest - and most difficult - match of his career.

While Cape Verde did qualify for the 2026 World Cup as group winners, beating the likes of Cameroon to top spot, they certainly didn't face anyone of Spain's quality, and we think Borges will be caught out by the fluidity of their frontline - especially if the likes of Yamal and Williams get any minutes. The 31-year-old hasn't had too much top-level experience in his career, and having picked up six bookings in the UAE Pro League last term - committing more than a foul per 90 - we fear for him against the European champions.

So Ladbrokes is tipping Diney Borges to be shown a card in Cape Verde's first-ever World Cup match, which could hardly be much tougher.

As 1000/1 outsiders to win the 2026 World Cup, Cape Verde won't be expecting too many chances to fall their way against the outright favourites, and given Spain's imperious defensive record, we think the minnows will fail to score a single goal in their opener.

With five clean sheets in their last six competitive matches, Spain really do know how to shut the opposition out when the stakes are high, with goalkeeper Unai Simon - who is among the favourites for the Golden Glove - not conceding a single international goal from June-November last year. Cape Verde do usually score, failing to do so in just one of their last 14 games, but against one of the world's meanest defences, we aren't expecting them to threaten this time around.

So the final pick of our Group H bet builder is for Cape Verde to score under 0.5 goals against Spain, with the gulf in quality clear for all to see as the favourites begin their charge to a second World Cup trophy.

You can bet on each of these markets individually, or combine them to create a Spain vs Cape Verde Bet Builder. Plus, with Bet Builder+, you can combine your bet not only with other World Cup matches, but also with different sports.

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All odds and market details are accurate as of the time of publication.

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