Thursday night’s offering of World Cup 2026 action features only one Round of 32 clash – but it should be a fabulous game.
Reigning European champions Spain and Austria lock horns at the Los Angeles Stadium, having both stuttered through the group stage somewhat.
Our full match preview is available to view below, and we have made some betting picks based on the latest World Cup odds.
Let’s begin…
Where can I watch Spain vs Austria in the UK?
Spain vs Austria will be broadcast live on BBC One, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm UK time.
Spain vs Austria Preview
Recent results
Spain’s World Cup 2026 campaign opened with a shock 0-0 draw vs Cape Verde, but Luis de la Fuente’s men then recorded back-to-back victories over Saudi Arabia (4-0) and Uruguay (1-0) to finish top of Group H. La Roja are still yet to display the best version of themselves at this tournament, though the knockout stage could be where they shine brightest.
Austria opened their group campaign with a 3-1 win over Jordan, before slipping to a 2-0 loss vs a Lionel Messi-inspired Argetina outfit. Das Team then qualified for the Round of 32 in quite ridiculous circumstances, a 96th-minute equaliser from Sasa Kalajdzic earning a dramatic 3-3 draw with Algeria and the runner-up spot in Group J. Without the late strike from Kalajdzic, Iran would have earned a spot in the Round of 32 at Austria’s expense due to a superior goal difference. World Cup football, eh?
Head-to-head record
Spain and Austria have collided 16 times previously, the most recent meeting in 2009 seeing La Roja claim a 5-1 triumph.
La Roja boast a total of nine victories compared to Austria’s four, though Das Team did win 2-1 when the two sides clashed at the 1978 World Cup.
Nevertheless, Spain have won four of the last five meetings, including a 9-0 thrashing in March 1999 during the teams’ European Championship qualifying campaigns.
Team news
Spain boss De la Fuente has got significant problems in forward areas. Nico Williams is now unlikely to feature at the tournament again regardless of how far Spain progress, while Yeremy Pino suffered a broken collarbone vs Uruguay and will not partake here. Victor Munoz is also an injury doubt for La Roja.
Austria could be without two key players in David Alaba and Marko Arnautovic due to fitness concerns, and the former would be a significant blow to an already struggling defensive unit.
Spain vs Austria Odds
*All odds are subject to change
Spain are the overwhelming favourites to win here, priced as low as 1.28. A victory for Austria is at long odds of 9.80, while the draw after 90 minutes is 5.20.
Spain vs Austria Betting Tips
Total goals – Under 2.5 @ 1.93
Spain are yet to concede a goal at this tournament, though this defensive stability has coincided with less potency in attack. La Roja have scored one goal or less in four of their last six matches, and with the added jeopardy of a knockout tie, we could be in for a low-scoring thriller in Los Angeles.
Anytime goalscorer – Mikel Oyarzabal @ 1.86
Nevertheless, we still expect Spain to get on the scoresheet vs an Austria defence which has already shipped six goals at this tournament. And there is no better candidate in that regard than Oyarzabal, who scored 15 times in his previous 16 international appearances – including a double vs Saudi Arabia in the group stage.
Bet Builder: Spain to win, under 2.5 goals & Mikel Oyarzabal to score anytime @ 7.00
And our first two tips, along with a win for Spain in 90 minutes, combine to produce some very healthy Bet Builder odds. La Roja have won six of their last seven matches vs European opposition.
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