Spain at World Cup 2026: Players to watch, group matches and squad
Led by some outrageously young and talented players, are Spain set to repeat another Euro-World Cup double in 2026? Previous World Cup appearances: 16 Best
Led by some outrageously young and talented players, are Spain set to repeat another Euro-World Cup double in 2026? Previous World Cup appearances: 16 Best performance: Winners (2010) First appearance: 1934 (Italy) Top goal scorer: David Villa (9) Most appearances: Sergio Busquets, Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos (17) Player to watch: Lamine Yamal FIFA world ranking: 2 The reigning European champions arguably boast the finest collection of Spanish talent since the 2008 and 2012 golden generation that swept all before them, and arguably come into the 2026 World Cup as the team to beat. This potentially new golden generation is even younger and arguably boasts more depth than the last, and Spain have moved on from their tiki-taka heyday to instil a faster, more direct style under the steady tutelage of coach Luis de la Fuente. However, Spain do have weaknesses and are under considerable pressure to deliver, especially after several recent World Cup let-downs. Incredibly, La Roja have failed to progress beyond the last 16 in the World Cup since their one and only triumph in 2010. Whether they can translate their talent into lifting the ultimate footballing prize for the second time is their defining question before this tournament. Spain’s main man Their perfect run to the 2024 Euros trophy demonstrated how far ahead they were of Europe’s elite, as they beat England, France and hosts Germany. Spain have now gone 28 games unbeaten in normal time since March 2024, although there is a slight blemish on that record after they lost to Portugal on penalties in the 2025 Nations League final. Barcelona’s star right winger Lamine Yamal broke through at Euro 2024 at the age of 16, registering four assists and scoring one of the goals of the tournament, and has only gotten better since to become the world’s most exciting young player. This season, Yamal has lit up La Liga and the Champions League with his performances, scoring 16 league goals and grabbing 11 assists along the way, while getting five goals and four assists in Europe.
But he is only human. Yamal is still very young – he will not turn 19 until a few days before the final – and has felt the pressure and frustration at times this season, lashing out when things have not gone his way. He also comes into the tournament off a long season that featured several injuries, including missing the end of the season with a hamstring problem, although he should be fine to play in Spain’s opening game. So La Roja will have to protect their prize asset if they are to prosper. Barcelona dominate as Real Madrid players cut Lamal is one of eight players from the Catalan club in the squad, while Spain will go to a World Cup without a Real Madrid player for the first time – with the likes of Dean Huijsen and Dani Carvajal failing to make the cut. De la Fuente played down the absence of Madrid players. “I’m the manager and I don’t look at where the players come from. They’re national team players; I don’t look at one club or another. I don’t have the same local bias that a fan might have. All I want is for these players to feel proud to represent the national team,” de la Fuente told reporters. He added: “Excitement is the keyword. Passion. “The reaction of people all over Spain – adults and children alike – is that they are fully behind the national team.” Rodri still at heart of powerful midfield Manchester City and Spain’s Ballon D’Or winner Rodri tends to be the beating heart of his teams and a key steadying presence linking defence and attack. However, he has not quite been the same force since an ACL injury in September 2024, and has frequently struggled for form and fitness since. He has also appeared unsettled at City this season, with his contract ending this summer, and amid rumours he is angling for a move to Real Madrid. De la Fuente’s alternatives to Rodri, such as Martin Zubimenti of Arsenal, look nowhere near as commanding, so the Spanish coach will want the talismanic Rodri fit and focused for a long tournament that would stretch to eight games if they reach the final.
The BriefWire