Group E leaders Spain make the trip to Georgia, and a win there would ensure World Cup qualification for the visitors and end the slim hopes of the hosts.

Willy Sagnol’s Georgia are on the brink of losing all hope of making it to the World Cup finals next year, and the task gets tougher against Spain this weekend. Having picked up just three points from their four games so far, with the solitary win coming against Bulgaria, there are a lot of factors involved for the home side to somehow qualify ahead of second-placed Turkey.

Their final two games in Group E will be a home clash against Spain before they finish their campaign with an away trip to Bulgaria. The second game offers some hope, and Georgia will be in the mix for qualification if they can manage to beat Spain at home while hoping Turkey lose their clash to Bulgaria.

Second-placed Turkey are six points ahead of Georgia, as a single point for the former would be enough to ensure qualification. Hence, for Georgia to make the unlikely trip to North America next year, they must win their next two games and hope Turkey lose both clashes. That may seem unlikely, but it is not impossible.

Luis de la Fuente’s side are in the qualification phase with a perfect record, having won all four games thus far without conceding a single goal. In the most recent international break, Spain defeated Georgia and then Bulgaria, thus consolidating their place at the summit of Group E.

Spain are currently three points ahead of second-placed Turkey, meaning they are yet to guarantee their place in the World Cup finals. A win would be enough to secure that spot as Group E winners, but a loss in Georgia could place their position in jeopardy before they take on Turkey in the final qualification clash.

Team News & Tactics

Georgia

Willy Sagnol has a few key injury issues to deal with in the squad, with important stars Otar Kakabadze and Georges Mikautadze through injury. The Villarreal striker is particularly a big miss for Georgia given his scoring record for the national side, and he will be crucial for their chances to qualify.

Sagnol could hand Giorgi Kvilitaia and Budu Zivzivadze are set to start for Georgia in the attacking third, while the hosts will be relying on star man Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s prowess to help them get something in the game, possibly a win.

Georgia will also have experience at the back in veteran Guram Kashia, who is in line to win his 127th cap for the national side, while Liverpool shot-stopper Giorgi Mamardashvili will be stationed between the sticks against Spain.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Mamardashvili; Kakabadze, Kashia, Goglichidze, Gocholeishvili; Kiteishvili, Mekvabishvili, Kochorashvili; Zivzivadze, Kvilitaia, Kvaratskhelia

Spain

Spain will be without star prodigy Lamine Yamal, with the Barcelona star withdrawing from the squad owing to a minor groin procedure.

The controversy behind this withdrawal appears to stem from reports stating that Spain were not aware of the procedure. Apart from Yamal, Rodri, Pedri, and fellow winger Nico Williams are absent in the latest international break.

Luis de la Fuente will likely use Arsenal pair Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino in his midfield setting, with Fabian Ruiz likely to join them in the centre of the park. The Spanish boss should deploy Ferran Torres and Alex Baena in the wide areas, with Mikel Oyarzabal set to lead the line for La Roja against Georgia.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Simon; Porro, Le Normand, Cubarsi, Cucurella; Merino, Zubimendi, Ruiz; Oyarzabal, Ferran Torres, Baena

Key Stats

• Spain have won all four games in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers.
• Spain have not conceded a goal in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers.
• Georgia must win their last two games and hope Turkey lose their remaining matches to stand a chance to qualify for the 2026 FIFA WOrld Cup.
• Georgia have never qualified for the World Cup finals.

Player to Watch

Mikel Merino

Embed from Getty Images

Merino has been sensational for Spain in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers, with his displays including a hat-trick and a brace, with the latter being in the most recent clash against Bulgaria. The experienced midfielder has transformed for his national side, and he will be crucial for Luis de la Fuente going forward.

With key players missing from action for Spain, de la Fuente will rely on Merino to deliver the goods in the final third. The Arsenal man will be hoping to continue his scoring form for the national side, as two crucial games await.

Prediction

Spain 2-0 Georgia

Georgia are under huge pressure to deliver in the coming games to qualify for the World Cup finals, and while their chances are slim, there is still a slim hope to play for. A loss to Spain will all but end their dream, and the home supporters will hope for a top performance against the European champions and group leaders.

Spain are the favourites to leave Georgia with three points and keep another clean sheet in the process. The quality on board in this Spanish side will be enough to topple Willy Sagnol’s side, and the expected result could see La Roja leave with two goals at the very least and a spot at next summer’s World Cup.