Argentina Could Face Spain in World Cup Round of 32

Argentina have already secured top spot in Group J ahead of their final group-stage match, but their Round of 32 opponent will only be confirmed after the conclusion of Group H fixtures on Saturday. Depending on the results, the defending champions could face tournament favourites Spain in a blockbuster knockout clash—or World Cup debutants Cape Verde.
According to FIFA's predetermined knockout bracket, the winners of Group J will meet the runners-up from Group H. The final Group H matches, scheduled for Saturday at 6:00 a.m. Bangladesh time, will determine Argentina's opponent.
Spain lead Group H with four points from two matches. However, the race for second place remains wide open, with Uruguay, Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia all still in contention.
Two-time world champions Uruguay have drawn both of their matches and sit on two points. To finish as runners-up, they must defeat Spain in their final group game. A victory would take Uruguay to five points and set up an all-South American showdown with Argentina.
World Cup debutants Cape Verde also have a realistic chance of progressing. They must beat Saudi Arabia and hope Spain avoid defeat against Uruguay. That combination would leave Cape Verde on five points and send them through as runners-up, earning a historic knockout meeting with Lionel Messi's Argentina.
Saudi Arabia, despite collecting just one point from two games, are still alive in the race. If they defeat Cape Verde while Spain beat Uruguay, the Saudis would finish on four points, with both Uruguay and Cape Verde remaining on two. In that scenario, Saudi Arabia would advance to the Round of 32 to face Argentina—the same team they famously defeated in the opening match of the 2022 World Cup.
There is also a scenario that could produce one of the biggest fixtures of the tournament. If Uruguay beat Spain and Saudi Arabia defeat Cape Verde, both Spain and Saudi Arabia would finish on four points. However, Spain would claim second place thanks to their head-to-head victory over Saudi Arabia, setting up a heavyweight Round of 32 clash between Argentina and Spain.
The final Group H matches—Spain vs Uruguay and Saudi Arabia vs Cape Verde—will kick off simultaneously on Saturday morning, after which Argentina's knockout opponent will be confirmed.

MMR