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WHO: Spain vs Austria
What: FIFA World Cup 2026 – round 32
That: Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles, US
When: Thursday, July 2, noon (19:00 GMT)
How to follow: We will have all the construction Al Jazeera Sport from 16:00 GMT before we start our live commentary.
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After arriving at the World Cup as one of the favourites, Spain have had a very poor start.
A stunning 0-0 draw with Cape Verde was followed by a 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia before a thrashing of Uruguay.
But Spain coach Luis de la Fuente insists his side are in danger of promotion and that is where they want to be, should they reach the finals of the competition.
“This team is used to breaking records and overcoming challenges; we are determined to move forward,” said de la Fuente on Wednesday.
Ralf Rangnick’s Austria are making their first World Cup appearance since 1954 after finishing runners-up in Group J.
Austria have scored six goals in three group games, one more than Spain, but Rangnick admits his side will need to improve on their 34-match unbeaten run from March 2023.
“We all know we need to do better tomorrow. Against Spain this is obvious,” said Rangnick. “We have to make another step.”
The winners will face either Portugal or Croatia in the last 16.
La Roja is ready to raise the bar against Austria
De la Fuente told reporters that he expected to see a change in his team after a sluggish start to the World Cup.
“What I’m seeing this week is that the team is starting to recognize” things that need to be improved, the coach said.
De la Fuente has allayed concerns about what is expected of his team from the Spanish players, despite the team’s early exit from the World Cup following their triumph in 2010.
“I like that it is demanded of us, because a lot is expected of us and all we have to do is respond to those expectations,” said de la Fuente.
Rangnick says to stop Lamine Yamal’s key
Rangnick said soccer fans around the world love to watch Lamine Yamal play, but stopping the Spanish winger to showcase his talent is one of the most important aspects of Thursday’s World Cup round of 32.
Spain has also helped the 18-year-old back into action after suffering a hamstring injury in April, which saw him play 141 minutes in three club games, scoring once – but he now says he is ready to play as needed.
“Lamine Yamal is a very good player, and he will be 12, 13 or 14 years, maybe more,” Rangnick told reporters on Wednesday.
“If he stays healthy and improves his shoulder, he can play more matches.
“He is one of the players that we will keep a close eye on tomorrow, so that they don’t give him too much space or the chance to start.
“He is a player that all football fans, regardless of where they come from, love to watch. But it is our job tomorrow to let him take the ball as little as possible.”
How did Spain and Austria get into the round of 32?
Spain topped Group H with seven points. Here is a list of their results:
Austria finished last in Group J with four points. Here is a list of their results:
Spain vs Austria prediction
Opta’s supercomputers have calculated a 70.6 percent chance for Spain to win the tournament in regulation time, while Austria are rated with a 12.2 percent chance of winning.
The chance to go to overtime is 17.3 percent.
Spain vs Austria: Kick-off time, TV channel
- Spain: DAZN Mundial (9pm, Central European Summer Time)
- Austria: ServusTV, ServusTV On (9pm, Central European Summer Time)
- United Kingdom: BBC One, BBC iPlayer (8pm, British Summer Time)
- USA: FOX, FOX One, Telemundo App, Telemundo Network, Peacock (3pm, Eastern Daylight Time)
To view the TV schedule for your country, visit the FIFA TV schedule Here.
Who will the winners face in the round of 16?
The winners of the Spain vs Austria match will face either Portugal or Croatia in the last 16.
Spain vs Austria: head to head
Spain are unbeaten in their last five matches against Austria (W4 D1), winning the last two matches by four goals.
Their most recent meeting dates back to 2009, when Spain beat Austria 5-1, with young David Alaba impressing in the 25th minute off the bench.
Spain, however, will be wary of their Austrian rivals, having lost their last World Cup 2-1 in 1978.
Spain vs Austria: Team news
Yeremi Pino (collarbone) and Nico Williams (hamstring) are injured in Spain, while Victor Munoz (muscle) is doubtful.
There are no injuries or suspensions in the Austrian camp.
Predicted Spanish championship
(4-3-3): Simon (goal); Llorente, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Pedri, Rodri, Ruiz; Yamal, Oyarzabal, Baena
A predicted Austrian line
(4-2-3-1): Schlager (goalkeeper); Posch, Lienhart, Alaba, Mwene; Seiwald, Schlager; Laimer, Sabitzer, Schmid; Arnautovic
