Spain and Austria will meet in the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Thursday at SoFi Stadium, with the European champions aiming to keep their title challenge on track. Spain enters the contest as one of the tournament favourites, although its group-stage campaign was not entirely……
Spain and Austria will meet in the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Thursday at SoFi Stadium, with the European champions aiming to keep their title challenge on track.
Spain enters the contest as one of the tournament favourites, although its group-stage campaign was not entirely convincing. La Roja opened with a goalless draw against Cabo Verde before securing victories over Saudi Arabia and Uruguay, including a narrow 1-0 win in their final group match.
Austria, meanwhile, advanced after a dramatic conclusion to the group stage. Ralf Rangnick’s side appeared destined for elimination after conceding a stoppage-time goal to Algeria, only for Saša Kalajdžić to rescue qualification with a 96th-minute equaliser in a thrilling 3-3 draw.
Spain remains the overwhelming favourite despite Austria’s energetic and high-pressing style. Luis de la Fuente’s side boasts one of the strongest squads in the competition, led by teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, alongside creative midfielders Pedri and Mikel Oyarzabal.
Austria’s aggressive approach could pose problems, but Spain’s technical quality is expected to create opportunities once it breaks through the press. Austria has also struggled defensively, conceding six goals during the group stage.
Spain heads into the fixture with an outstanding defensive record, having yet to concede a goal in the tournament after clean sheets against Cabo Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay. The team has also kept 10 clean sheets in its last 13 matches across all competitions and is unbeaten in regulation time in its last 33 games, with its last 90-minute defeat coming against Colombia in a friendly in March 2024.
Austria had been tipped by some as a potential dark horse before the tournament but has managed just two clean sheets in its last seven matches.
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Spain is expected to line up in a 4-3-3 formation:
Unai Simón in goal; Marcos Llorente, Pau Cubarsí, Aymeric Laporte and Marc Cucurella in defence; Mikel Merino, Rodri and Pedri in midfield; while Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal and Álex Baena lead the attack.
Austria is also expected to adopt a 4-2-3-1 formation:
Alexander Schlager in goal; Stefan Posch, Kevin Danso, David Alaba and Phillipp Mwene in defence; Nicolas Seiwald and Xaver Schlager anchoring midfield; Konrad Laimer, Paul Wanner and Marcel Sabitzer supporting striker Marko Arnautović.
Prediction: Spain 2-0 Austria.
Match Details
Location: Inglewood, United States
Stadium: SoFi Stadium
Date: Thursday, July 2
Kick-off Time: 8 p.m
Referee: Glenn Nyberg (SWE)
