The 2026 FIFA World Cup is right around the corner, and Spain enter as the long-time betting favorite to win the tournament. It’s a talented squad that claimed the 2024 European Championship and features some of the best young players in the world.
With so many options to pick from, many are curious how Luis de la Fuente will set up his squad for the opening Group H match against Cape Verde on June 15.
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Below, we’ll discuss the Spain World Cup squad and the potential Spain starting lineup, as well as the team's strengths and weaknesses.
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Projected Starting XI for the Spain National Team at the 2026 World Cup
To say that de la Fuente is spoiled for choice is an understatement. The Spanish squad has world-class talent at every position and has one of the best midfield units in all of football.
Spain’s roster is composed of three GKs, four FBs, four CBs, seven CMs, and eight FWs — three of whom are STs. The biggest shock is the lack of any players from Real Madrid, something that has never happened in 92 years of Spain competing at the World Cup.
La Roja may set up in a 4-3-3 system, much as they have for years. The focal point will continue to be a midfield anchored by Rodri and controlled by the masterful Pedri, who won the UEFA Euro 2020 Young Player of the Tournament award at just 18 years of age.
The potential absence of Lamine Yamal, who's confirmed to have returned to training after a hamstring injury, wouldn’t even be a detriment in the group stage. However, as soon as he returns, he'll immediately slot into the right wing.
Ferran Torres has had a solid campaign this season for Barcelona, but Mikel Oyarzabal of Real Sociedad could end up leading the line after he scored the winning goal in the 2024 Euro final against England. He has 18 goal contributions in his last 15 appearances for the national team.
Projected Spain 4-3-3
- Goalkeeper: Unai Simon
- Defense: Marcos Llorente, Aymeric Laporte, Pau Cubarsi, Marc Cucurella
- Midfield: Rodri, Pedri, Fabian Ruiz
- Forwards: Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal, Nico Williams
Spain Player to Watch: Pedri
It’s hard to believe that Pedri is just 23 years old, given what he’s done already in his career at both the domestic and national team level.
After dealing with injury issues that saw him miss more than two full months earlier this season, he’s been his dominant self as he helped lead Barcelona to a perfect home record in La Liga.
Pedri is one of the best passers in the world, but he’s also a tremendous dribbler who can create in the half-spaces. Perhaps the most underrated aspect of his skill set is what he does defensively, ranking in the 97th percentile in both recoveries and aerial duel win rate per 90 minutes.
It’s scary to think that this midfield maestro hasn’t even entered the prime years of his career. With Rodri dictating play and protecting the defense at the base of the midfield trio, we could see Pedri take things to a whole new level at the 2026 World Cup.
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Spain is favored to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup behind a loaded squad full of bright and exciting young talent. After claiming the 2024 European Championship, they’ll look to overcome the pressure of expectations and lift their second World Cup in five tournaments.
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Stick around with the Playbook for continued World Cup predictions, picks, and analysis through the end of the tournament.
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