Georgia Battles Spain in Crucial 2026 World Cup Qualifier Showdown: Match Preview, Bold Predictions and Starting XI Revealed
Spain has the opportunity to book their ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup when they take on Georgia in their second-to-last qualifying fixture on Saturday.
La Roja have dominated their qualifying campaign thus far, netting 15 goals while maintaining a clean sheet across four consecutive wins. They've virtually locked up first place in Group E, but will guarantee their spot in next summer's tournament if they match or better Türkiye's performance against Bulgaria. Any victory would essentially seal Spain's qualification given their commanding goal difference advantage.
The current European titleholders will rank among the tournament favorites for the World Cup considering their remarkable form under Luis de la Fuente's guidance. They remain unbeaten in regular time since suffering a 1–0 loss to Colombia in a friendly match back in March 2024.
Georgia, who have fallen to Spain in all six encounters over the past six years, maintain faint aspirations of claiming second place in Group E, which would earn them a play-off berth. They would require a victory over Spain on Saturday, followed by a triumph against Bulgaria in their closing match, while simultaneously hoping Türkiye drops their remaining two fixtures. The odds appear extremely remote.
Here is Sports Illustrated's preview of the encounter in Tbilisi.
What Time Does Georgia vs. Spain Kick-Off?
Georgia vs. Spain Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)
Current Form (All Competitions)
Georgia | Spain |
|---|---|
Türkiye 4–1 Georgia - 10/14/25 | Spain 4–0 Bulgaria - 10/14/25 |
Spain 2–0 Georgia - 10/11/25 | Spain 2–0 Georgia - 10/11/25 |
Georgia 3–0 Bulgaria - 9/7/25 | Türkiye 0–6 Spain - 9/7/25 |
Georgia 2–3 Türkiye - 9/4/25 | Bulgaria 0–3 Spain - 9/4/25 |
Georgia 1–1 Cape Verde - 6/8/25 | Portugal 2–2 (5–3p) Spain - 6/8/25 |
How to Watch Georgia vs. Spain on TV and Live Stream
Country | TV Channel/Live Stream |
|---|---|
United States | fuboTV, ViX |
United Kingdom | Amazon Prime Video |
Canada | DAZN Canada, fuboTV Canada |
Mexico | Sky Sports Mexico, Sky+ |
Georgia Team News
Georgia boasts several prominent players preparing for Spain's arrival, notably Paris Saint-Germain winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. He'll be looking to cause problems for his club teammate Fabián Ruiz, with Georgia depending heavily on his attacking flair if they harbor any chance of achieving a major shock result.
Giorgi Mamardashvili, who has featured regularly for Liverpool in recent weeks, will play a vital role for Georgia between the posts, having made a crucial penalty save in the previous meeting.
Nevertheless, Willy Sagnol must cope without Villarreal forward Georges Mikautadze for this fixture due to injury concerns. He's contributed seven goals and assists for club and country this season and represents a significant loss in attack.
Georgia Predicted Lineup vs. Spain
Georgia predicted lineup vs. Spain (5-3-2): Mamardashvili; Gocholeishvili, Goglichidze, Kashia, Narimanidze Lochoshvili; Kiteishvili, Kochorashvili, Mekvabishvili; Zivzivadze, Kvaratskhelia.
Spain Team News
Lamine Yamal's groin problem has again captured attention as tensions between Barcelona and the RFEF persist. The 18-year-old received a call-up for November's international window from De la Fuente, but pulled out early in the week to avoid worsening his ongoing fitness issue.
Yamal's Barcelona teammate Pedri is also unavailable due to injury and joins several other notable absentees. Rodri and Nico Williams are currently on the sidelines as well, though Dean Huijsen's inclusion in the squad provides De la Fuente with some positive news.
Barcelona maintains a significant representation in the squad, with Ferran Torres accompanied by Pau Cubarsí, Fermín López and Dani Olmo. Arsenal players also form a substantial portion of the selection as David Raya, Martín Zubimendi and Mikel Merino have all received call-ups.
Jorge de Frutos has earned recognition for his excellent displays with Rayo Vallecano by taking Yamal's place, while Real Betis midfielder Pablo Fornals might make his first international appearance since 2022 on Saturday.
Spain Predicted Lineup vs. Georgia
Spain Predicted Lineup vs. Georgia (4-3-3): Simón; Porro, Le Normand, Cubarsí, Cucurella; Merino, Zubimendi, Ruiz; Oyarzabal, Torres, Pino.
Georgia vs. Spain Score Prediction
Georgia and Spain have clashed frequently in recent years, with La Roja finding the net 20 times against FIFA's 70th-ranked nation over their last five encounters. During this period, Georgia has managed only three goals, demonstrating the magnitude of the challenge facing Sagnol's squad.
Knowing they can clinch their World Cup berth on Saturday, Spain will approach the match with determination. Despite some key injury concerns, they still possess a roster capable of overwhelming Georgia.
This should represent another comfortable victory for Spain, who could potentially maintain their streak of four consecutive clean sheets.