Spain 2026 World Cup preview

Spain head into the 2026 World Cup jostling with France for the tag of outright favourites to lift the trophy. They do so as reigning European champions, and having already won four major titles in the 21st Century.

With that in mind, confidence should hardly be lacking, especially with La Roja unbeaten in regulation time in competitive football since a 2-0 defeat to Scotland in October 2023.

However, this is also a Spanish squad that has one or two World Cup demons to lay to rest in North America this summer. They’ve not advanced from a knockout tie in this competition since Vicente del Bosque’s team lifted the trophy in South Africa in 2010.

How will Spain line up at the 2026 World Cup?

Goalkeepers – Unai Simon, David Raya, Joan Garcia

La Roja are well blessed in the goalkeeping department. Luis de la Fuente’s bold claim that six of the top 10 keepers in the world are Spanish may be overplaying it just a touch, but with David Raya and Joan Garcia expected to play back-up roles, they surely have more depth than any other nation at the 2026 World Cup.

Truth be told, Unai Simon may not have even been one of the best 10 goalkeepers in LaLiga this season. The Athletic man made a number of uncharacteristic mistakes, but the expectation is that the Spain boss will keep faith with his regular number one.

A shaky performance or two from Simon in the group stage would certainly reopen the debate, and may leave De la Fuente with a difficult decision to make.

Defenders – Marcos Llorente, Pedro Porro, Eric Garcia, Aymeric Laporte, Pau Cubarsi, Marc Pubill, Marc Cucurella, Alex Grimaldo

The defence is the main area where there have been changes in this Spanish side since their impressive run to glory at Euro 2024. Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand were both starters in Berlin for the final of that competition, while Nacho came off the bench. None of those players will be involved this time around.

Continuity comes via Marc Cucurella at left-back and Aymeric Laporte in central defence. Marcos Llorente’s strong form for Atletico Madrid over the past two seasons suggests he’s now the first-choice right-back. Meanwhile, Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia and Marc Pubill will likely battle it out to start alongside Laporte in the heart of the backline, with Cubarsi best placed to get the nod against Cape Verde on matchday one.

De la Fuente may opt for some rotation in the other group matches. Pedro Porro and Alex Grimaldo will be hoping for a starting opportunity at full-back against either Saudi Arabia or Uruguay.

Midfielders – Pedri, Rodri, Gavi, Fabian Ruiz, Mikel Merino, Martin Zubimendi, Alex Baena, Dani Olmo

Spain have made use of both 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 systems over the past few years, with the former seen as their more likely approach at this World Cup. That’s expected to mean a midfield trio of Pedri, Rodri and Fabian Ruiz.

With Rodri enduring a difficult period with injuries, Martin Zubimendi has been regularly deployed in the holding role over the past two years. The Arsenal man may count himself unfortunate if he’s relegated to the bench at this tournament, but he could still have an important role to play in the latter stages of games.

Mikel Merino was also a key presence during qualifying, scoring six goals in six appearances as Spain won their group. However, an injury has prevented him from starting a match since January. The 29-year-old will be hoping to get minutes in the group stage as he bids to build up his fitness, potentially in time to challenge for Fabian’s place in the side during the knockout rounds.

A switch to a 4-2-3-1 formation could see Pedri deployed in a more advanced role, or it may mean Dani Olmo, who was an important figure at Euro 2024, comes into the side.

Forwards – Mikel Oyarzabal, Borja Iglesias, Yeremy Pino, Nico Williams, Victor Muñoz, Ferran Torres, Lamine Yamal

The other big change since their victory in Germany two summers ago is that Alvaro Morata is no longer part of the set-up. He has been replaced by Mikel Oyarzabal as the undisputed first-choice forward. The Real Sociedad man has enjoyed an excellent season for club and country, scoring 27 goals in 47 appearances.

With everyone fit, there is also little doubt that Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal will operate on the two flanks. However, both players are carrying injuries into the tournament and neither featured against Peru in the final warm-up game earlier this week.

Lamine is likely to be eased into the competition, but he is set to be involved in some capacity on the opening matchday. A starting role for the 18-year-old has not been ruled out, but Ferran Torres may get the nod on the right flank against the tournament debutants.

After an unconvincing, injury-ravaged season, Nico’s contribution at this World Cup may be less than it was at Euro 2024. He’s not expected to start the opening game, with Alex Baena or Olmo the most viable alternatives on the left flank. We could see plenty of changes in that role throughout the tournament. Víctor Muñoz, who is also currently carrying an injury, will provide competition if Nico doesn’t find his best form.

Group stage – Plain sailing for La Roja?

With most third-placed teams also advancing, something would have to go very badly wrong for a talented Spanish side not to reach the knockout stage. A convincing victory against Cape Verde on matchday one would all but seal the deal. However, De la Fuente will be keen to win the group and secure what would likely be a smoother knockout path.

Saudi Arabia are their second opponents in Atlanta. While they caused a stir by stunning eventual champions Argentina with a 2-1 victory at the last World Cup, the Saudis have only once progressed from the group stage, and that was the last time the tournament was held in the United States way back in 1994.

On paper, Uruguay will provide Spain with their toughest test on matchday three. Marcelo Bielsa’s men were only beaten four times in 18 matches in qualifying in South America. Despite that, expectation levels are relatively low for La Celeste, given they can no longer count on the likes of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani to trouble opposing defences.

Knockout stage – Plotting the potential path to the final

If Spain win Group H

There are always upsets in major tournaments, and two or three surprise results in the opening stage can significantly alter how the knockout bracket takes shape. However, there is plenty of reason for Spain to believe that topping Group H could create a very manageable path until at least the semi-finals.

Should they do that, they’d face the runners-up from Group J in the round of 32. Argentina are given a 71% chance of finishing first in that group, with Austria the most likely second-placed team.

The other advantage for Spain if they finish first is that they would not need to face another group winner until the quarter-final stage. Colombia or Croatia are potential round-of-16 opponents.

They’d then likely take on either the winners of Group G or Group D in the quarter-finals. Those are two of the weaker groups in the competition, with Belgium projected to be the most likely team to emerge as Spain’s last-eight opponents.

Should things pan out loosely as expected in the first stage, it’s therefore very possible that Spain could reach the semi-finals without having to play any of the other leading contenders to win this World Cup.

If Spain finish second in Group H

Finishing second in Group H would most likely leave Spain looking at a much trickier road to the final in New Jersey. They can take confidence from having seen off Germany, France and England on a tough path to Euro 2024 glory. However, their first major test at this tournament could come as early as the round of 32 against Argentina.

Even if La Roja emerged from that tie, they would then potentially have to get past Turkey and Portugal. England or Brazil would be the most likely opposition at the semi-final stage on that half of the draw.

Spain’s recent World Cup history – Little to cheer since glory in South Africa

Spain’s recent World Cup history shows just how quickly pre-tournament projections can go wrong. They failed to even progress from their group at the 2014 World Cup, as hopes of an unprecedented fourth straight major title evaporated in Brazil.

Since then, there have been humiliating round-of-16 exits against Russia and Morocco in ties they were strongly expected to win. Both defeats came via penalties after contests that saw La Roja enjoy more than 70% of the ball, without regularly threatening the opposing goal.

Their success two years ago felt like a new dawn as two exciting wingers emerged to spark a more dynamic style of play. However, the first knockout round at this World Cup will still be something of a psychological barrier for Spain to overcome.

Getting both Nico and Lamine fit and firing in time for that match will be a huge priority over the next few weeks. If they can reach the point where both are in good shape, De la Fuente’s team are capable of emulating the class of 2010, by bringing the trophy back to Iberia.