Spain’s national football team began its campaign for the 2026 World Cup with a match against Cape Verde in Atlanta. This marks the first qualifying match for both teams in the competition. Spain is widely considered the favorite in this contest, possessing a historically stronger team than Cape Verde. The game represents the initial step in a lengthy qualification process for the expanded 48-team World Cup. The match is being held in Atlanta, indicating an effort to broaden the tournament’s reach and appeal to a North American audience. This opening fixture sets the stage for further qualifying matches to determine which nations will compete in the 2026 World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.