Our prediction for this World Cup 2026 match:
Bulgaria
Match Time & Date:
4 September 2025
19:45
Prediction: 1-3
Spain
Bulgaria will look to claim a major scalp in Group E when they face Spain at National Stadium Vasil Levski on Thursday. The Bulgarians are on a five-game winless run in all competitions and they face yet another uphill task against the star-studded Spaniards. Speaking of the home team, all eyes will be on PAOK winger Kiril Despodov, who has netted 15 goals in 56 appearances for the Bulgarian national team.
La Furia Roja, on the other hand, are seen as favourites to win Group E and they surely want to kickstart their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign in style. David faces Goliath in Sofia and anything but a routine away win would be a big surprise. The good news for the visiting team is that both Rodri and Carvajal are back to contention after overcoming their long-term injuries. As always, Barcelona ace Lamine Yamal is likely to prove a handful for the opposition back-line.
Highlighted Player (Dani Olmo):
After starting his youth career at Espanyol, Dani Olmo moved to fellow Catalan side Barcelona in 2007 at the age of nine. The Spanish player born in Terrasa on May 7, 1998 then moved to Dinamo Zagreb, where he established himself as a first-team regular.
Dani Olmo was on the verge of leaving the Croatian club in the summer of 2019, but he eventually stayed at Stadion Maksimir. Olmo is one of the most talented footballers in Spain and he helped the U21 team clinch the Euro 2019 trophy. La Furia Roja defeated Germany in the final of the tournament, with Olmo being named Man of the match.
The Spanish attacking midfielder, who is used as a winger as well, was named the Croatian First Football League player of the year for 2018. His preferred foot is right and he has a contract with Dinamo Zagreb until June 30, 2021.
Highlighted Team (Bulgaria):
Bulgaria national football team are well known for their “Golden generation” of players led by Hristo Stoichkov. The Bulgarian football legend was producing thrilling performances for the national team at the 1994 FIFA World Cup in USA and he helped the Lions make it to the semi-finals of the tournament.
The likes of Trifon Ivanov, Krasimir Balakov and Yordan Letchkov enjoyed a very successful tournament as well and, no doubt, they recorded a historical result at the 1994 FIFA World Cup. The Bulgarians defeated Germany in the quarter-finals, but Italy proved to be a big catch for Dimitar Penev’s team. Bulgaria eventually suffered a heavy loss to Sweden in the third-place playoffs. Nowadays, Bulgaria struggle in qualifiers for major tournaments and it has to be noted that they have not participated at the finals since 1994.
Vasil Levski National Stadium is considered Bulgaria’s home ground and the capacity of the stadium is 43.320. Bulgaria wear white shirts, green shorts and white socks when playing at home, whilst green and red are their second colours.
Georgia 
Turkey
Liechtenstein
Belgium
Luxembourg 
Northern Ireland 
Netherlands 
Poland 
Slovakia 
Germany
Argentina
Venezuela 
