Spain chase perfect start as they host Georgia in qualifiers

Spain will aim to extend a perfect start to their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign when they host Georgia on Saturday evening at the Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero in Elche, with kickoff scheduled for 19:45 UK time. The match is the third Group E fixture for both sides and carries significance for the early shaping of the section.

Luis de la Fuente’s side top Group E with six points from two matches after opening wins of 3-0 at home to Bulgaria and a 6-0 victory over Turkey. Georgia sit second on three points, having recovered from a 3-2 home loss to Turkey with a 3-0 win against Bulgaria. A win for Spain would put them firmly on course to secure top spot in the group, while a result for Georgia would keep them in contention for a place in the expanded 2026 finals.

Spain enter the game with a string of strong recent performances and a dominant head-to-head record against Georgia. The teams have met several times in recent years, with Spain winning most encounters, including a 4-1 win in the Euro 2024 round of 16 and a 7-1 victory in a 2023 qualifier. That history, together with Spain’s current form, has left bookmakers and analysts rating Spain clear favorites for the fixture.