Spain World Cup 2026 guide: Fixtures, prediction, key player and odds

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Evening Standard

·1 juin 2026

Spain World Cup 2026 guide: Fixtures, prediction, key player and odds

La Roja’s international pedigree is apparent - can Luis De la Fuente lead Spain to a third trophy in four years?

As World Cup fever ramps up around the globe, football fans in Spain will be confident of another successful tournament. Their squad is a perfect blend of talent, youthful energy, and experience, with stars such as Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, and Rodri leading the way.

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Since winning the World Cup in 2010 it is hard to look past Spain as a hot favourite every four years, with the Spaniards becoming a force in international football.

Winners of three Euro Championships since 2008, La Roja’s performances at the world’s biggest tournament have not matched their continental success. Knocked out at the group stage four years after their maiden World Cup success, the Spaniards did not fare much better in 2018 and 2022, exiting the tournament at the round of 16.

Luis de la Fuente has already led Spain to the Nations League and Euros in 2023 and 2024 respectively - can Luis Enrique’s successor go on to complete the set by achieving glory this summer?

Goalkeepers: Unai Simon, David Raya, Joan Garcia

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

Midfielders: Rodri, Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, Pedri, Gavi, Fabian Ruiz, Alex Baen

Forwards: Yeremy Pino, Victor Munoz, Mikel Oyarzabal, Ferran Torres, Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Nico Williams, Borja Iglesias.

(all times BST)

Spain vs Saudi Arabia (5pm on June 21, Atlanta Stadium)

Uruguay vs Spain (1am on June 27, Guadalajara Stadium)

AFP via Getty Images

The expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams has given Spain a relatively straightforward path in the group stage. Starting their campaign against debutants Cape Verde, Spain also share Group H with Saudi Arabia and Uruguay. The latter two can cause any international side issues, but under de la Fuente Spain have been model professionals against perceived inferior opposition.

If Spain win their group they can only face runners up of other pools until the quarter final stage, a factor that could facilitate a deeper run. Based on favourites winning their groups and advancing against third-placed teams, Spain would expect to face either the USA or Belgium at the quarter final stage. With a potentially kind draw ahead of them, Spain going all the way does not seem far-fetched at all.

Key player

Lamine Yamal has become the new face of the Spanish national side, an incredible feat for a teenager to achieve considering the strength of the Spanish squad. Yamal burst onto the international scene as a 16-year-old at Euro 2024 and has already earned 25 caps for the national side.

Lamine Yamal starred during Spain’s run to the Euro 2024 title

PA

Versatile, skilful, and quick, Yamal’s inclusion in the Spain squad carries a risk - the 18-year-old missed the closing stages of Barcelona’s title-winning campaign due to a hamstring issue. Expect Spain to be cautious with his minutes during the group stage in order to rely upon the Barcelona starlet deeper into the tournament.

To win the World Cup: 4/1