Spain at the 2026 World Cup

Spain arrive as Euro 2024 champions, ELO leader (2075), and FIFA's number-two side — the first-choice dark horse for every serious bracket. Luis de la Fuente's project has done something that eluded Luis Enrique: it has made Spain feel new. The tiki-taka that won Euro 2008, World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012 has been kept as a foundation but rebuilt around vertical runners. The possession still arrives in the final third; the difference is what happens after. Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams attack full-backs from the first second. Rodri sits deep and breaks every opposing press. Álvaro Morata, still the captain, scores in the big games.

The 2022 Qatar exit — to Morocco, on penalties, after 1,000 completed passes and zero open-play goals in 120 minutes — was the diagnosis. Euro 2024 was the cure. Seven straight wins, the tournament's best goal difference, and a 2-1 final over England that confirmed Spain had found the missing gear. Since then De la Fuente has deepened the squad without losing identity. Dani Olmo, Fabián Ruiz, Pedri, Pau Cubarsí at 19 years old anchoring the back four alongside Aymeric Laporte — this is arguably the deepest Spanish roster since the golden generation.

The draw is cruel and generous at once. Group H pairs Spain with Uruguay — a Celeste side that beat Brazil in the Copa América 2024 quarter-finals, full of set-piece threat and led by Federico Valverde — plus Cape Verde (debutants, but AFCON quarter-finalists) and Saudi Arabia. Spain should top the group. What comes next is where it gets interesting: depending on seedings, a Round of 16 against a third-place qualifier or a direct quarter-final against France, Germany or England.

For Spanish fans, the 16-year title drought of the men's senior side is ancient history as of Euro 2024. The question in 2026 is whether La Roja can become the first nation since Brazil 1962 to hold the European and World titles simultaneously. On current form, they are the team every other contender is hoping to avoid.

De la Fuente runs a 4-3-3 with aggressive full-backs and a non-negotiable ball-playing keeper in Unai Simón. Possession is still Spain's default, but the build-up is shorter and more direct than the 2010 era: Rodri receives from the back four, turns, and Spain vertical-pass within three touches. Wide players Yamal and Nico Williams provide the width; the center-forward drops in to combine. Pressing is sustained and high — Spain recovers the ball in the opposition third more often than any Euro 2024 team. Strengths: control of tempo, two generational wide threats, elite central defense, a Ballon d'Or midfielder in Rodri. Weaknesses: Morata is 33 and the only true number nine in the squad — a knock there forces De la Fuente into false-nine setups that cost Spain against low blocks. Set-piece defending also remains the historical Achilles heel.