Spain will travel to Tbilisi on Saturday knowing that a victory would almost certainly secure their spot in the finals of the 2026 World Cup with a game to spare in Group E.
La Roja are currently top of the section on 12 points, three points ahead of second-placed Turkey, while Georgia are third and need two wins from their final two matches to stand a chance of claiming a playoff spot.
Georgia vs Spain – Match preview and team news
- Date: Saturday, 15th November.
- Kick-off: 5pm BST.
- Venue: Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena, Tbilisi.
Georgia team news
Georgia face setbacks with the loss of Otar Kakabadze and Georges Mikautadze due to injury. The absence of Mikautadze is significant as the Villarreal forward has netted 21 goals in 41 appearances for his country. He is sidelined with knee issues suffered during training sessions.
In attack, forwards Giorgi Kvilitaia and Budu Zivzivadze are expected to feature prominently, with star winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, now summoned by head coach Willy Sagnol for the final two World Cup qualifiers, set to lead the inspiration for the hosts. Key players such as Liverpool’s goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and Slovan Bratislava’s defender Guram Kashia, who could be earning his 127th cap, are also anticipated to start.
Spain team news
Spain’s lineup will be without Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, who has withdrawn following a minor groin operation, a procedure the national federation was reportedly not informed about beforehand. The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) publicly expressed their surprise and concern over the matter, which involved an invasive radiofrequency treatment on November 10. Manager Luis de la Fuente has called up Jorge de Frutos of Rayo Vallecano as Yamal’s replacement.
Additional Spanish absences include Rodri, Pedri, and Nico Williams, all sidelined due to injuries. Pedri is facing a recovery period of up to six weeks after sustaining a hamstring issue.
Despite these setbacks, Spain boastsa deep talent pool with Ferran Torres, who has scored 22 goals in 51 international games, expected to spearhead the attack. Midfield duties are likely to be carried out by Arsenal’s Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi, while Mikel Oyarzabal and Alex Baena are poised to contribute offensively in the final third.
Form
Georgia
Willy Sagnol’s side have picked up just three points from their four matches in Group E, with their only win in the section coming at home to Bulgaria on September 7. The Crusaders lost their two October fixtures to Spain and Turkey, and the hosts now have a major job on their hands when it comes to claiming a playoff spot in the section. Indeed, Sagnol’s side must beat Spain and Bulgaria in their final two Group E fixtures and then hope that Turkey lose their final two matches against Bulgaria and Spain.
Spain
Spain have been perfect in Group E, winning all four of their matches to collect 12 points, and the national side are in pole position to top the group and secure a spot at the 2026 World Cup.
Luis de la Fuente’s side would all but confirm their position at the tournament with a win over Georgia, even if Turkey beat Bulgaria, as La Roja have a +15 goal difference compared to Turkey’s +3.
Predicted lineups
Georgia: Mamardashvili; Kakabadze, Kashia, Goglichidze, Gocholeishvili; Kiteishvili, Mekvabishvili, Kochorashvili; Zivzivadze, Kvilitaia, Kvaratskhelia.
Spain: Simon; Porro, Le Normand, Cubarsi, Cucurella; Merino, Zubimendi, Ruiz; Oyarzabal, F Torres, Baena.
How to watch Georgia vs Spain?
UK fans can watch the match live on Amazon Prime through their PPV service.
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