Spain at the 2026 World Cup: Roster, Forecast, and Statistics

The main contender for the 2026 World Cup, according to bookmakers, approaches the championship as the current best team in Europe. The Spaniards will likely have to play some games without Lamine Yamal, but even without the young talent, Luis de la Fuente's team will be the clear favorite in at least three group stage matches and, possibly, the 1/16 final.

However, one should not overestimate the Spaniards – in over 70 years, the team has only once reached the semi-final stage. The 2010 campaign ended in triumph in South Africa, but the Spaniards have not particularly shone at the World Cup level.

On the European stage, this is a consistently strong team, but at the World Cups, Furia Roja regularly faces strong opponents outside the continent. In the last three World Cups, the Spaniards even lost to non-grand teams – Chile, Morocco, and Japan. Let's take a closer look at the state of the Spaniards approaching the World Cup, where the path to the trophy has now become even longer.

In short:

• Spain is the main favorite of the 2026 World Cup. Bookmakers believe that de la Fuente's team will win the tournament with a 17% probability.
• The Spanish national team is the only team in football history to have won three major international tournaments in a row: Euro 2008, World Cup 2010, and Euro 2012.
• The Spanish national team is called Furia Roja – a nickname that appeared in the early 20th century. It is associated with the aggressive style of play of the Spanish team.
• The Spanish national team includes Yamal, Gavi, Rodri, but no player from Real Madrid will play for the national team at the World Cup.
• In the group stage of the World Cup, the Spanish national team will play against Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay.

Spain's squad for the 2026 World Cup

Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic), David Raya (Arsenal), Joan Garcia (Barcelona).

Defenders: Pedro Porro (Tottenham), Marcos Llorente, Marc Pubil (both Atletico Madrid), Emeric Laporte (Athletic), Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia (both Barcelona), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea), Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer).

Midfielders: Rodri (Manchester City), Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino (both Arsenal), Gavi, Pedri, Daniel Olmo (all Barcelona), Fabian Ruiz (PSG).

Forwards: Alex Baena (Atletico Madrid), Ferran Torres, Lamine Yamal (both Barcelona), Nico Williams (Athletic), Yeremi Pino (Crystal Palace), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Victor Munoz (Osasuna), Borja Iglesias (Celta).

Head coach: Luis de la Fuente

Main Star

The Spanish team is full of stars – it includes one of the most expensive defenders (Pau Cubarsi), the most expensive midfielder (Pedri), the most expensive forward (Lamine Yamal). Perhaps the 18-year-old winger can rightfully be considered the main star of the team. Yamal is highly likely to miss 1-2 starting group stage matches. But even in such a condition, de la Fuente called him up and will surely trust him a place – as soon as Lamine is ready. The forward's season stats are 24+18 in 45 matches - on average, he was productive in every game.

Main problem of Spain

The main strength of Spain is simultaneously its main brake. The team structure is tied to the control of the pace and movement of the game from Rodri and intensification from Yamal. Both had intense seasons in their clubs, not avoiding injuries. The condition of the leaders is a potential problem for the Spaniards. Difficulties may arise due to the youth of the squad. We can't blame them for lack of experience, but Yamal, Cubarsi, Gavi and Pedri are not yet spoiled by an abundance of finals, where nerves can come into play, which cannot be overcome by talent alone.

Young talent

Yamal? Exactly, he is the main star. In this case, let's pay attention to the second player in the squad who is not yet 20 years old. Defender Pau Cubarsi burst into the elite of Barcelona and the Spanish national team just a couple of years ago. Is his place in the starting lineup guaranteed? It's still unknown, but Pau will definitely get playing time and colossal experience.

Who will miss the 2026 World Cup

The main theme of the Spanish roster is the absence of Real Madrid players. De la Fuente did not call up Dean Huijsen, Dani Carvajal, Dani Ceballos, or Gonzalo Garcia to the team. Fans of the Royal club will, of course, support their compatriots, but at any opportunity will be ready to criticize the coaching staff for their choice. Experienced forward Alvaro Morata was also left out of the squad.

Form of the Spanish national team

Qualification

The Spaniards easily overcame the qualifying stage, winning five out of six matches dry. Another game ended in a draw. Yamal and his company's opponents in the group were Georgia (2:0, 4:0), Turkey (6:0, 2:2) and Bulgaria (3:0, 4:0). The average scoring in the qualifiers was 3.50 goals per game with 0.33 conceded.

Recent results

In the March slot, the Spanish national team played two friendly matches in front of their own fans. Serbia was defeated at home (3:0), but Egypt could not be beaten even with a majority (0:0). Spain has not lost in regular time for 28 matches in a row. The trend in defense is also impressive – Spain finished 7 out of the last 8 matches without conceding.

Preparation for the World Cup

Before the World Cup, the Spanish national team will play against Iraq (June 4) and Peru (June 8). Obviously, the preparation is for the two most important group stage matches against Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.

Match schedule for the 2026 World Cup

Spain's chances of advancing from the group

Bookmakers have no doubt about Spain's progression to the World Cup playoffs, assuming that de la Fuente's team will advance from the group with a 99% probability, and that they will do so from the first place – 83%.

Bookmakers' odds for Spain in the 2026 World Cup

Why Spain won't win the World Cup

Let's name three reasons. Dependence on the condition of Yamal and Rodri, which we mentioned earlier, a heavy load on the boys who are not even 24 years old (Yamal, Cubarsi, Gavi, Pedri, Nico Williams) and, perhaps, the main one – the absence of a top center forward. Spaniards can only miss the times of Fernando Torres and David Villa even with the presence of Ferran Torres and Mikel Oyarzabal.

Scores24's prediction for Spain

We will try to take a risk and play the bet Spain will not reach the semi-finals for 1.78*. Firstly, there is a significant long-term trend, in which the reigning European champion has never reached theReaching the semi-final stage in the next World Cup -– his has happened in 8 out of the last 9 tournaments. And while a lot can change in the composition and play of the national team over four years, it rarely does over two years (Spain won Euro 2024).

If Spain does not encounter difficulties in the group stage, then in the round of 16 they will face someone from the pair Austria / Algeria, and in the ⅛ finals, they could face Colombia or Croatia. In the quarterfinals, the most likely opponent at the moment is Belgium, from whose experienced golden generation any surprises can be expected.

Another scenario with a defeat from Uruguay (you remember that Spain lost to non-top teams in each of the last four World Cups) will almost certainly send the Spaniards into the bracket with Argentina and Portugal.

Predictions for all 2026 World Cup matches will be available in the tournament section starting from June 9.

*Odds are provided for reference, may vary in different betting offices and are current at the time of publication