Euro Champions Return
La Rojas head into the 2026 FIFA World Cup after their inspiring European triumphant campaign under Luis de la Fuente, with hopes of adding another major trophy to their growing collection.
Spain have retained the core of the squad that delivered European Championship success under Luis de la Fuente, providing continuity and experience ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Squad Selection Sparks Debate
La fluente hasn't selected any player from Real Madrid, including Alvaro Carreras, Dean Hujisen, and experienced fullback Dani Carvajal.
The absence of Dean Hujisen’s name in the final squad caught many by surprise. This decision sparked controversy, with many fans alleging that the selection was influenced by the manager's personal preference rather than performances on the pitch.
But Luis de la Fuente stated that "I don't look at one club or another." "I don't have that local bias a fan might have. For me, it's more global."
Goalkeeper Battle Continues
The goalkeeping department of the Spanish national team is filled with world-class guardians, including David Raya, Joan Garcia, and Unai Simon.
The goalkeeping position remains one of Spain's biggest talking points.
Unai Simon has been La Furia's undisputed starter and has rarely let the manager down, yet with David Raya producing world-class performances at club level, there is a strong argument that Spain's current best goalkeeper is no longer Unai Simon. Whether that translates into a starting role at the World Cup remains one of the biggest questions facing La Roja.
Defensive Options Assessed
The defense unit includes Pedro Porro and Marcos Llorente for the right back role along with debutant Marc Pubil. Versatile defender Eric Garcia is back with the national team after reviving his career with Barcelona. Garcia can handle right back, center back, and defensive midfield roles.
Aymeric Laporte and Pau Cubarsi will form the core of central defense, with versatile Marc Pubil and Eric Garcia as their backups
Spain has one of the best left backs in their squad, including Marc Cucurella and Grimaldo. Cucurella is a player who can give defensive solidity for the team on the left side, while Grimaldo excels with overlapping runs, crosses, goal scoring, and set pieces.
Both players can provide different types of output to the team. However, the preferred choice of La Fluente in big matches will be Cucurella to shield the team against dangerous wingers. The Chelsea left back is considered the best defensive fullback in the world.
World-Class Midfield Core
Spain forms one of the best midfields in the world with world-class players. Rodri will lead the team in midfield from the pivot role, with Zubimendi, Pedri, Mikel Merino, Gavi, Fabian Ruiz, Olmo, and Alex Baena.
Midfield is stacked with top players who proved themselves in the last Euro Cup campaign with Spain. Notable absence in midfield is Fermin Lopez. The manager was forced to leave out the player from the squad after sustaining a fifth metatarsal fracture on his right foot.
Yamal Set for Return
Lamine Yamal will be back for the opening match of the World Cup to lead Spain's attacking lineup once again. The player had sustained a hamstring tear against Real Betis in La Liga. Now his recovery is on track to feature against Cape Verde.
Mikel Oyarzabal is the manager's trusted choice in the final third to play the false 9 role, with Ferran Torres and Borja Iglesias adding strength to the bench.
Yeremi Pino, Victor Munoz, and star of the last triumphant Euro campaign Nico Williams will be the key players on the wings for Rojas along with Yamal.
Strengths of La Roja
Key strengths of the Spanish national team are their midfielders, Rodri, Pedri, and Fabian Ruiz. This midfield has creativity and press resistance, which only a few other teams can match.
Mikel Merino can be the crisis manager for La Fluente, whether the team needs defensive solidity or a winning goal.
Potential Areas of Concern
The biggest weakness of the Spain squad is not having an elite striker on the World Cup stage, especially in knockout matches. A clinical striker will be required to convert the chances.
Spain’s defensive lineup looks good on paper, but there are concerns regarding the center back and right back roles because these positions had experienced players like Nacho and Carvajal to lead in the Euro Cup, but with both missing out, the lack of experienced leadership in those positions could become a concern during the tournament.