Fifa World Cup 2026: What you need to know about Spain

Get the lowdown on every team at the 2026 World Cup. Here we take a closer look at Spain.

What can I expect from Spain?

Spain's pursuit of a second star may rest on a wing and a prayer.

Luis de la Fuente's side were a class apart as they swept to Euro 2024 glory, combining their trademark midfield precision and control with the more vertical, direct threat posed by electric wingers Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams.

But both players are injury doubts as they recover from hamstring issues. If they are unavailable, or not quite in peak condition, Spain's attack could lack some of the pace, variety and X-factor needed to break down elite opposition.

It should be less of a problem in their opening two games, versus Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia, so there is little reason to take early risks.

De la Fuente has alternated between 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 in his reign and can lean heavily on versatile attacking midfielder Dani Olmo – so influential in the latter stages of the Euros – to cover any absentees.

What are Spain's strengths?

La Roja boasts a genuine embarrassment of riches in midfield and in goal, while the emergence of Lamine Yamal gives them a bona fide superstar.

Deep-lying centre-forward Mikel Oyarzabal has become increasingly prolific, and the new seeding system should, in theory, help open up their path to the semi-finals.

And what about their weaknesses?

Spain are sweating on the fitness of their two outstanding wide players, especially Williams, who had struggled all season with a persistent groin issue even before injuring his hamstring in May.

Barcelona centre-back Pau Cubarsi is a terrific talent, but at 19 may be a little inexperienced to start in such a key position at a major tournament.

How might Spain line up?

Which players should I look out for?

Real Sociedad's Mikel Oyarzabal, 29, came off the bench to score the winner in the Euro 2024 final and has since established himself as a starter. Though renowned for his clever movement and link-up play, he was Spain's joint-top scorer in qualifying with six goals.

Lamine Yamal became the first 16-year-old to play (and score) at the Euros and could join an illustrious list this summer - only seven men have netted a World Cup goal before turning 19. He was in scintillating form for Barcelona before being injured in April, contributing 24 goals and 17 assists in 45 games.

Paris St-Germain's Fabian Ruiz, 30, shone as Spain were crowned European champions, combining incisive passing with notably effective ball-winning. He won possession in the final third 14 times at the tournament – twice as often as any other player.

Who is Spain's head coach?

Luis de la Fuente has been part of the Spanish set-up since 2013, winning European titles at under-19 and under-21 levels before succeeding Luis Enrique as boss of the senior side in December 2022.

He has been praised by players for fostering a happy, welcoming environment and lauded by Spain's media for his tournament tactical nous. The 64-year-old signed a new deal last year, which runs until Euro 2028.

How did Spain qualify?

La Roja swaggered through qualifying, scoring 19 unanswered goals in their first five games before dropping points in their last fixture, a 2-2 draw with Turkey.

Where can I watch Spain?

All of Spain's matches will also be covered live on the BBC Sport website and app with updates, analysis, and fan reaction. Come and be part of it!

Give me a fact to impress my friends

Move over, England - Spain have lost four World Cup penalty shootouts, more than any other nation. They were unsuccessful with all three spot-kicks when they crashed out against Morocco in 2022, just the second time a team has failed to score in a shootout at a World Cup.

Now give me some proper detail

Spain were simply brilliant as they won an unprecedented fourth European title in 2024. La Roja won seven games, two more than anyone else has at a single Euros, while also setting records for most goals scored (15) and most different goal scorers (10).

They have barely missed a beat since and will deservedly begin this summer's tournament as one of the favourites - but history is against them doubling up.

Only twice before have the European Championship winners gone on to lift the World Cup two years later. In fact, since Italia '90, there have been just two instances of the reigning European champions winning more than one game at a World Cup.

The only teams to buck the trend are West Germany (1972 and 1974) and Spain themselves (2008 and 2010). France also held both titles simultaneously but in a different order, lifting the 1998 World Cup first.

While this team is trying to emulate the class of 2010, the squad has a very different profile. All but one of the starters in the final in Johannesburg 16 years ago played for Real Madrid or Barcelona, whereas the side that began the Euro 2024 decider represented 10 different clubs.

There is not even a single Real player in the current squad, a first for Spain at a World Cup. Boss De la Fuente insists he doesn't consider where players come from, only "whether they are useful".

How have Spain done at previous World Cups?

Spain's last win in a World Cup knockout match came in the 2010 final. Since then, they have managed just three victories from 11 games at the tournament.