Spain is gearing up for the FIFA World Cup 2026, set to be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. As one of the eight nations to have ever lifted the trophy, winning the 2010 edition in South Africa, Spain is preparing for their 17th World Cup appearance.
Historical Performance
Spain's World Cup journey began in 1934. Their best result prior to 2010 was a fourth-place finish in 1950. In 1964, Spain won its first major international title, the European Nations' Cup. The nation hosted the 1982 FIFA World Cup, but only managed to reach the second round. Spain has reached the quarter-finals six times, but hadn't advanced past the Round of 16 since their 2010 triumph. In the 2022 Qatar World Cup, Spain recorded their biggest World Cup win, a 7-0 victory over Costa Rica. However, they were eliminated by Morocco in the Round of 16. Across 67 World Cup matches, Spain has 31 wins, 17 draws, and 19 losses.
Qualification and Expectations
Spain secured their spot in the 2026 World Cup by topping their UEFA Group E. They will discover their group-stage opponents during the final draw on December 5, 2025. After winning UEFA EURO 2024 and reaching the final of the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League, Spain is considered one of the favorites for the title.
Roster and Key Players
The Spain World Cup 2026 squad is beginning to take shape. The team blends youth and experience, a strategy that proved successful in their Euro 2024 victory. Several players from the iconic 2010 World Cup-winning team hold the record for most World Cup appearances for Spain: Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, and Sergio Busquets, each with 17 appearances across four tournaments.
Potential key players for the 2026 World Cup include:
- Goalkeepers: David Raya, Alex Remiro, and Unai Simon
- Defenders: Dani Vivian, Marcos Llorente, Pedro Porro, Aymeric Laporte, Pau Cubarsi, Marc Cucurella, Alex Grimaldo, and Dean Huijsen
- Midfielders: Pablo Barrios, Mikel Merino, Fabian Ruiz, Alex Baena, Pablo Fornals, Martin Zubimendi, Aleix Garcia, and Mikel Oyarzabal
- Forwards: Samu Aghehowa, Ferran Torres, Borja Iglesias, Dani Olmo, and Yeremi Pino
Lamine Yamal is a prominent figure in Spain's national team. Mikel Merino and Mikel Oyarzabal played key roles in World Cup qualifying. Other options in attack include Alvaro Morata, Nico Williams, and Alex Baena. Rodri is expected to be a crucial addition to the squad.
Looking Ahead
Spain will face Bulgaria, Turkey, and Georgia in the qualification phase between September and November 2025. The top team in each group will automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Spain's recent successes, including their Euro 2024 win, have raised expectations for their performance in the 2026 World Cup.
