Spain at the FIFA World Cup 2026

History

Spain won their only FIFA World Cup title in 2010 in South Africa, defeating the Netherlands 1-0 in the final through Andres Iniesta's extra-time goal, becoming the first European nation to win a World Cup held outside Europe. Prior to 2010, Spain's best result was fourth place at the 1950 edition. They have participated in 17 World Cups since their debut in 1934. Away from the World Cup, Spain are also the most successful nation in European Championship history, with four UEFA European Championship titles (1964, 1984, 2008, 2012) and most recently the 2024 edition, where they defeated England 2-1 in the Berlin final, winning all seven matches and setting a record for goals in a single tournament.

Qualification

Spain qualified for the 2026 World Cup as winners of UEFA Group E, which also contained Turkey, Georgia, and Bulgaria. Playing four matches in the September and October 2025 window plus two in November, Spain finished unbeaten across all group games. A 2-2 draw with Turkey on the final matchday (November 18, 2025) was enough to secure top spot. Earlier results included a 6-0 victory over Turkey and a 4-0 win over Georgia in the November window, with a 2-0 loss away to Georgia (October) being the only setback in an otherwise dominant campaign.

Preparation

Luis de la Fuente named his final 26-man squad on May 25, 2026. Spain won Group H unbeaten (0-0 vs Cape Verde, 4-0 vs Saudi Arabia, 1-0 vs Uruguay), then went through the knockout rounds without conceding more than one goal in a match: 3-0 vs Austria (Round of 32, July 2), 1-0 vs Portugal via a Merino stoppage-time winner (Round of 16, July 6), 2-1 vs Belgium via a Merino goal seconds after coming on (quarterfinal, July 10), and 2-0 vs France (semifinal, July 14, Oyarzabal penalty and Porro). Across seven matches Spain have conceded only once, to Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere. Nico Williams and Yéremy Pino, both sidelined by injuries picked up against Uruguay on June 26, are fit and available again; Williams returned as a substitute in the wins over Belgium and France, while Pino is back in full training but has not yet featured. Victor Munoz, uninjured but without tournament minutes, signed for Liverpool mid-tournament and remains a bench option. Spain face Argentina in the World Cup final on July 19, 2026 at New York New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford, their first final since winning the title in 2010.

Latest news

Spain set for first World Cup final since 2010, facing Argentina on July 19 in New Jersey

· general

Spain reached the World Cup final for the first time since 2010, beating France 2-0 in the semifinal. They face Argentina, who beat England 2-1, on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford (3pm ET), the first-ever final meeting between the two nations. Williams and Pino are fit but not fully sharp; Munoz, now at Liverpool, is expected fit for the bench but unlikely to play.

Spain beat France 2-0 in Dallas to reach the World Cup final

· matches

Oyarzabal scored a 22nd-minute penalty (Digne fouled Yamal); Porro added a second in the 58th as Spain beat France 2-0 in the semifinal at Dallas Stadium, Arlington. XI: Simón; Cubarsí, Laporte, Porro, Cucurella; Rodri, Fabián Ruiz; Yamal, Olmo, Baena; Oyarzabal. Subs: Torres (74', Oyarzabal), Merino (78', Olmo), Pedri (78', Ruiz), Llorente (84', Porro), Williams (84', Baena).

Spain edge Belgium 2-1 in quarterfinal, Merino wins it seconds after coming on

· matches

Fabián Ruiz opened the scoring in the 30th minute at SoFi Stadium; Belgium's De Ketelaere equalised in the 41st (Spain's only goal conceded all tournament). Substitute Mikel Merino struck the winner in the 88th, just 1 minute 57 seconds after coming on, from a rebound off keeper Senne Lammens. Nico Williams came on at 79' for Oyarzabal, his first appearance since injury against Uruguay.

Spain edge Portugal 1-0 in Round of 16 on Merino's stoppage-time winner

· matches

Substitute Mikel Merino scored in the 90+1' minute to give Spain a 1-0 win over Portugal at Dallas Stadium (Arlington, Texas), in what proved to be Cristiano Ronaldo's final World Cup game. Spain XI: Simón; Porro, Cubarsí, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Baena; Oyarzabal. Nico Williams and Yeremy Pino remained unused substitutes. Spain advance to face Belgium in the quarterfinal.

Spain thrash Austria 3-0 in Round of 32, Oyarzabal scores twice

· matches

Mikel Oyarzabal scored either side of a Pedro Porro strike (36', 66', 89') as Spain beat Austria 3-0 at SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California) in the Round of 32, dominating with 23 shots to 5. Nico Williams and Yeremy Pino, both still recovering from injuries sustained against Uruguay, remained unused substitutes. Spain advance to face Portugal in the Round of 16.

Nico Williams (adductor) and Yeremy Pino (shoulder sprain) both doubtful for Round of 32 with moderate injuries

· injuries

June 26 vs Uruguay: Williams tackled by Nicolás de la Cruz in stoppage time, moderate right adductor injury. Pino (on 68') acromioclavicular sprain; tests ruled out a fracture. The federation called both moderate: 'their recovery will determine their availability.' Both miss July 2 Round of 32 vs Austria; stay with squad, may return later. Williams: 'Today is one of the worst days of my life.'

Spain beat Uruguay 1-0 to win Group H with 7 points; face Austria in Round of 32 on July 2

· matches

Álex Baena's 42' goal (Fernando Muslera error) won 1-0 over Uruguay at Estadio Akron. XI: Simón; Llorente, Cubarsí, Laporte, Cucurella; Merino, Rodri, Pedri; Yamal, Oyarzabal, Baena. Subs: Pedri 59' (Fabián Ruiz), Baena 68' (Pino), Oyarzabal/Yamal 76' (Torres/Williams). Canobbio red card 90+5'. Spain top Group H, 7 points, zero conceded; face Austria, Round of 32, July 2, SoFi Stadium.

Pedri one yellow card from Round of 32 ban; Nico Williams in line for first start vs Uruguay

· squad

Pedri was booked at 90+3 vs Cape Verde (June 15) and avoided a second vs Saudi Arabia, leaving him one booking from an automatic R32 ban. Nico Williams, who came off the bench in both group games managing a muscular issue, is expected to start in the June 26 Group H finale vs Uruguay at Estadio Akron. Yamal also expected to start. Munoz may again be unavailable.

Spain thrash Saudi Arabia 4-0 to seal Round of 32 qualification

· matches

Spain beat Saudi Arabia 4-0 in Atlanta. Lamine Yamal made his first World Cup start and scored in the 10th minute; Mikel Oyarzabal added a brace (21', 24') and Hassan Al-Tambakti an own goal (49'). Yamal was subbed at half-time for fitness management; Nico Williams and Mikel Merino came on at 60'. Spain lead Group H with 4 points and have qualified for the Round of 32.

Optimism growing that Yamal will start vs Saudi Arabia on June 21 after Cape Verde cameo

· injuries

After Yamal returned as a 71st-minute substitute in the 0-0 draw with Cape Verde, optimism is growing within the Spanish camp that he will be ready to start against Saudi Arabia on June 21. Yamal 'looked lively' during a squad day off in Nashville. Medical staff still describe the hamstring as delicate and are taking a measured approach to avoid relapse.

Spain held to shock 0-0 draw by World Cup debutants Cape Verde in Group H opener

· matches

Spain held 0-0 by Cape Verde (World Cup debut) in Atlanta (att. 67,640). Spain XI: Simón; Llorente, Cubarsí, Laporte, Cucurella; Fabián Ruiz, Rodri, Pedri; Torres, Oyarzabal, Gavi. Yamal and Merino on at 71', Williams at 86'. Torres hit the crossbar. Vozinha (GK, age 40) was Man of the Match. De la Fuente: 'We should have won but lacked a clinical edge.'

Merino fit and playing after fitness scare; Yamal and Williams come off bench vs Cape Verde

· injuries

Merino came on 71' (for Fabián Ruiz) vs Cape Verde, confirming he is fully fit. Yamal also entered 71' (for Gavi), his first competitive appearance since April. Williams came on 86' (for Rodri). Merino said Spain must put the Cape Verde 'grief' behind them and expressed optimism about Yamal and Williams being closer to full fitness for Saudi Arabia.

Yamal, Williams and Munoz return to full training in Chattanooga ahead of June 15 opener

· injuries

All three injured Spain players, Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams and Victor Munoz, returned to full training with the squad in Chattanooga on June 11. The trio missed the June 8 Peru friendly, remaining at base for rehabilitation. Coach Luis de la Fuente expects Yamal to be ready for the June 15 opener against Cape Verde, though his involvement might be limited to 'just a few minutes'.

De la Fuente: Yamal, Williams and Munoz on track for June 15 opener; trio stayed at base

· injuries

Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams and Victor Munoz stayed at Spain's Chattanooga base rather than travel for the June 8 Peru friendly. Coach Luis de la Fuente said all three are within the expected timelines for the June 15 opener against Cape Verde: 'If there are no setbacks in the coming days, we expect them to be available on the 15th.' He was more cautious about their readiness to start.

Spain beat Peru 3-1 in final World Cup warm-up in Puebla

· matches

Spain finished their pre-tournament friendlies with a 3-1 win over Peru in Puebla, Mexico. Mikel Oyarzabal struck after two minutes, Pedri added a second in the 32nd, and a Pedro Gallese own goal made it 3-0 in the 53rd before Jairo Velez pulled one back for Peru in the 66th. Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams and Victor Munoz did not travel, staying at the Chattanooga base to rehabilitate.

Yamal and Williams train partially with group in Chattanooga; Munoz still apart

· general

At an open session in Chattanooga, Tennessee watched by around 1,000 fans, Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams were reported to be progressing, training with the group during the first portion, while Victor Munoz worked separately indoors. Spanish reports suggested Yamal could be eased in as a substitute in the opening matches, with Williams' return potentially nearer the second group game.

Yamal and Williams closing in on fitness for opener after sitting out Iraq draw

· injuries

After Spain's 1-1 home friendly draw with Iraq, reports said Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, both still recovering from hamstring injuries, were closing in on a return and pushing to be fit for the June 15 Group H opener against Cabo Verde. David Raya had sat out the Iraq match because of his Champions League final commitment rather than injury.

Spain held to 1-1 draw by World Cup-bound Iraq in final home warm-up

· matches

Spain were held to a 1-1 draw by Iraq in their final home friendly before the World Cup at the Estadio de Riazor in La Coruna. Ferran Torres put Spain ahead in the 16th minute but Merchas Doski levelled for Iraq in the 28th. De la Fuente was without several first-choice players: Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams (both managing hamstring injuries), David Raya (Champions League final) and Pedri.

Yamal, Williams and Merino on managed-load plan; none to feature prominently vs Iraq

· injuries

Ahead of the June 4 Iraq friendly at Riazor, Spanish media reported Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams and Mikel Merino were managing physical discomfort on a reduced-risk plan, with none set to feature prominently. De la Fuente said Yamal and Williams (both hamstring) were progressing as expected and would not play against Iraq, while still targeting the June 15 opener against Cabo Verde.

De la Fuente backs Yamal to be fit, even to start, for World Cup opener

· injuries

Manager Luis de la Fuente said Lamine Yamal, recovering from an April hamstring injury, will be in 'perfect condition' and predicted he would be ready for Spain's opener against Cabo Verde on June 15, with reports indicating Yamal is expected to start. De la Fuente said the staff would keep monitoring his progress.

Spain open World Cup camp at Las Rozas; Yamal, Williams and Munoz train apart

· general

Spain held their first pre-tournament training session at the Ciudad del Futbol in Las Rozas, watched by around 2,000 fans at an open practice. Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams (both recovering from hamstring injuries) and Victor Munoz (calf problem) trained separately from the group. Four players were delayed by Champions League final commitments.

Full Spain squad, including recovering trio, to travel for Peru friendly in Puebla

· squad

Spain decided to send the entire squad to the June 8 friendly against Peru in Puebla, Mexico, including the three players recovering from injury: Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams and Victor Munoz. Medical staff reported all three were showing noticeable progress and could be available for official matches.

Squad

PlayerPositionClub
Unai SimónGKAthletic Club
David RayaGKArsenal
Joan GarcíaGKBarcelona
Pedro PorroDFTottenham Hotspur
Marcos LlorenteDFAtlético Madrid
Aymeric LaporteDFAthletic Club
Pau CubarsíDFBarcelona
Eric GarcíaDFBarcelona
Marc PubillDFAtlético Madrid
Marc CucurellaDFChelsea
Alejandro GrimaldoDFBayer Leverkusen
RodriMFManchester City
Martín ZubimendiMFArsenal
PedriMFBarcelona
GaviMFBarcelona
Fabián RuizMFParis Saint-Germain
Mikel MerinoMFArsenal
Álex BaenaMFAtlético Madrid
Yéremy PinoFWCrystal Palace
Víctor MuñozFWLiverpool
Mikel OyarzabalFWReal Sociedad
Dani OlmoFWBarcelona
Ferran TorresFWBarcelona
Borja IglesiasFWCelta Vigo
Lamine YamalFWBarcelona
Nico WilliamsFWAthletic Club

Recent results

  • 2024-03-22 — ESP 0-1 COL (friendly)
  • 2024-03-26 — ESP 3-3 BRA (friendly)
  • 2024-06-05 — ESP 5-0 AND (friendly)
  • 2024-06-08 — ESP 5-1 NIR (friendly)
  • 2025-09-04 — BUL 0-3 ESP (qualification)
  • 2025-09-07 — TUR 0-6 ESP (qualification)
  • 2025-10-11 — ESP 2-0 GEO (qualification)
  • 2025-10-14 — ESP 4-0 BUL (qualification)
  • 2025-11-15 — GEO 0-4 ESP (qualification)
  • 2025-11-18 — ESP 2-2 TUR (qualification)
  • 2026-03-27 — ESP 3-0 SRB (friendly)
  • 2026-03-31 — ESP 0-0 EGY (friendly)
  • 2026-06-04 — ESP 1-1 IRQ (friendly)
  • 2026-06-08 — PER 1-3 ESP (friendly)
  • 2026-06-21 — ESP 4-0 KSA (group)
  • 2026-06-26 — URU 0-1 ESP (group)
  • 2026-07-02 — ESP 3-0 AUT (round_of_32)
  • 2026-07-06 — POR 0-1 ESP (round_of_16)
  • 2026-07-10 — ESP 2-1 BEL (quarter_final)
  • 2026-07-14 — FRA 0-2 ESP (semi_final)

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