Georgia vs Spain – 2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Preview, Predictions and Lineups

Spain can secure their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup when they face Georgia in their penultimate qualifying match on Saturday.

La Roja have dominated the competition in qualifying so far, scoring 15 times and conceding none in four successive victories. They have already confirmed their first place in Group E, but they will clinch a place in next summer’s tournament if they improve on Turkey’s result in their duel against Bulgaria. Any victory, whatever it may be, will all but ensure Spain’s qualification thanks to their vastly superior goal difference.

The reigning European champions will be among the favorites for the World Cup given their utterly sensational record under Luis de la Fuente. They have not tasted defeat in 90 minutes in a match since losing 1-0 to Colombia in a friendly in March 2024.

Georgia, beaten six times by Spain in the last six years, still harbors incredibly slim hopes of clinching second place in Group E, along with a play-off ticket. However, they would have to beat Spain on Saturday, then conquer Bulgaria in their last match, while hoping that Turkey loses their next two matches. This seems extremely unlikely.

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Georgia vs Spain head-to-head record (last five matches)

Current form (all competitions)

Georgia has several stars preparing for the visit of Spain, including Paris Saint-Germain winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. He will aim to put misery on teammate Fabián Ruiz, with Georgia dependent on his creativity if they have any hope of pulling off a major upset.

Giorgi Mamardashvili, who has enjoyed a string of starts for Liverpool recently, will be crucial for Georgia at the other end of the pitch, with the goalkeeper saving a penalty in the reverse fixture.

However, Willy Sagnol will be without Villarreal striker Georges Mikautadze for the clash due to injury. He has scored seven goals for club and country this season and will be greatly missed in the final third.

Georgia predicted lineup against Spain (5-3-2): Mamardashvili; Gocholeishvili, Goglichidze, Kashia, Narimanidze Lochoshvili; Kiteishvili, Kochorashvili, Mekvabishvili; Zivzivadze, Kvaratskhelia.

Lamine Yamal’s groin injury has once again hit the headlines as the feud between Barcelona and the RFEF continues. The 18-year-old was called up to the November squad by De la Fuente, but withdrew earlier this week to ensure he did not aggravate his ongoing problem.

Yamal’s teammate Pedri is also missing due to injury and is one of several prominent absentees. Rodri and Nico Williams are also currently out, and they have been joined by Real Madrid’s Dean Huijsen.

There is still a strong Barça presence in the squad, with Ferran Torres joined by Pau Cubarsí, Fermín López and Dani Olmo. Arsenal players also make up an important part of the squad as David Raya, Martín Zubimendi and Mikel Merino have all been retained.

Jorge de Frutos was rewarded for his impressive form with Rayo Vallecano by replacing Yamal, while Real Betis midfielder Pablo Fornals could earn his first national team appearance since 2022 on Saturday.

Predicted line-up of Spain against Georgia (4-3-3): Simon; Porro, Le Normand, Cubarsí, Cucurella; Merino, Zubimendi, Ruiz; Oyarzabal, Torres, Pino.

Georgia and Spain have been regular opponents of late, with La Roja scoring 20 goals past FIFA’s 70th-ranked national team in the last five meetings. During this period, Georgia have scored just three times, underlining the scale of the challenge ahead for Sagnol’s men.

Knowing they can secure their place at the World Cup on Saturday, Spain will be raring to go. They have some significant injured absences, but still have a team capable of decimating Georgia.

This should be another routine win for Spain, who can potentially extend their streak to four straight shutouts.

Prediction: Georgia 0–3 Spain

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