Spain: an ambitious new generation sets out to conquer the 2026 World Cup
By OnzeActu · · 2 min read
The Spanish team will approach the 2026 World Cup (group H with Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde and Uruguay) with a rejuvenated selection, very focused on the talents trained at FC Barcelona. Guided by Luis de la Fuente, La Roja shone during the qualifiers, but have the historical particularity of not having any Real Madrid players in their ranks.
Placed in Group H alongside Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde and Uruguay, Spain arrives at the 2026 World Cup with great ambitions and a breath of fresh air. Currently second in the FIFA rankings, La Roja is entering its seventeenth consecutive participation in the World Cup, with renewed momentum after the European title won in 2022.
Under the orders of Luis de la Fuente, appointed after the surprise elimination against Morocco in Qatar, Spain distinguished itself with an impressive qualifying run: seven victories and a single draw during the group stage, with 21 goals scored and memorable cards (notably a 6-0 inflicted on Turkey and a 4-0 against Bulgaria). De la Fuente, a fine connoisseur of Iberian youth teams, has renewed the squad by relying on the rising generation – a real victory for the Masia, Barça's training center.
If the key player is Lamine Yamal, an 18-year-old prodigy, Spain relies above all on one of the most technical midfielders in the tournament, made up of Pedri, Zubimendi, Rodri and Fabian Ruiz. Mikel Merino and Ferran Torres (21 goals with Barça this season) could also be major assets, as could Nico Williams, performing well in the selection despite a mixed year at Athletic Bilbao.
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Unpublished statistic: for the first time, La Roja will play a World Cup without any representative of Real Madrid.
Spanish selection for the 2026 World Cup: Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Club), David Raya (Arsenal), Joan Garcia (Barcelona) Defenders: Marc Cucurella (Chelsea), Alex Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen), Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Club), Marc Pubill (Atlético Madrid), Eric Garcia (Barcelona), Marcos Llorente (Atlético Madrid), Pedro Porro (Tottenham) Midfielders: Pedri (Barcelona), Fabian Ruiz (PSG), Martin Zubimendi (Arsenal), Gavi (Barcelona), Rodri (Manchester City), Alex Baena (Atlético Madrid), Mikel Merino (Arsenal) Forwards: Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Nico Williams (Athletic Club), Yeremy Pino (Crystal Palace), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Borja Iglesias (Celta Vigo), Victor Munoz (Osasuna), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
Typical composition (4-3-3): Raya; Llorente, Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, Cucurella; Pedri, Rodri, Fabian Ruiz; Yamal, Ferran Torres, Nico Williams. Coach: Luis de la Fuente.