Spain face Austria in the FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 32 on Thursday, July 2, at Los Angeles Stadium. The match kicks off at noon local time (19:00 GMT).

Spain, one of the pre-tournament favorites, had a mixed group stage: a shock 0-0 draw with Cape Verde, a 4-0 thrashing of Saudi Arabia, and a gritty win over Uruguay. Coach Luis de la Fuente insists his team is improving and ready for the knockout phase.

Austria are making their first World Cup knockout appearance since 1954 after finishing second in Group J. Ralf Rangnick's side scored six goals in the group stage but acknowledge they must raise their game against an unbeaten Spanish side.

Spain's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, 18, is back from a hamstring injury and expected to play a key role. Rangnick said Austria will try to limit Yamal's influence, calling him a player "all football fans love to watch."

Opta's supercomputer gives Spain a 70.6% chance of winning in regulation time, Austria 12.2%, and a 17.3% probability of extra time. The winner will face Portugal or Croatia in the last 16.

Source: www.aljazeera.com