The team to beat? European champions Spain are among the World Cup favourites but there are problems to address

Analysis

By Sid Lowe for World Soccer in the 2026 World Cup Special, May 2026.

“For those of us who love football, it’s a joy to see them play: Spain have the qualities to emulate what they did between 2008 and 2012.” That was the verdict of Turkey coach Vincenzo Montella back in September, just before his team faced the Seleccion. After they had, most would have agreed with the Italian. Spain won 6-0 that night and by the time they met again in the final European qualifier, their record read: played five, won five, scored 19, conceded zero. Already through, the final game was a 2-2 draw, but it brought up Spain’s 31st consecutive competitive game without defeat.

That should perhaps carry an asterisk, because Spain had actually been beaten on penalties by Portugal in the 2025 UEFA Nations League final. But statistically it drew them level with the record run held by Italy, a record they overtook with two more unbeaten matches in March, and underlined their candidacy for the World Cup, having already been Nations League winners in 2023 and European champions in 2024.

In defeating Croatia, Italy, Germany, France and England on their way to lifting the trophy in Berlin, they had surely become the best European champions in history – better even than the generation that won it in 2008 and 2012, and against which they will be eternally judged. They will now try to emulate that generation by adding a World Cup to the continental success.

“No one had expected Spain to win Euro 2024, at least not on the outside. Inside though, something was building. At the start of the tournament, captain Alvaro Morata pushed back against the suggestion that the squad didn’t have any Ballon d’Or contenders; three months later, Rodri won it. Other candidates emerged too. Their coach, Luis de la Fuente, said: “I’ve known many of them since they were kids…and now they are superstars”. None more so than Lamine Yamal, who was a literal kid, turning 17 on the eve of the final. His importance to the team was demonstrated by the hysteria that greeted his hamstring injury in April, although he’s set to be fit for the finals.

Yamal’s not the only concern. Five of the starters from the Euro 2024 final were not in their squad in March. Rodri is still returning to full fitness, injury has ruined the seasons of Nico Williams and Dani Carvajal, none of the centre-backs have had good campaigns, and skipper Morata was left out having reached March without a league goal, his time seemingly gone. A debate even opened up over the goalkeeping position, Unai Simon not seeming so secure.

And yet, there is still a clarity and depth about Spain, smoothly defeating Serbia even with the absences, new players staking claims for places.

What they didn’t get was the chance to add another trophy, with the Finalissima against Argentina abandoned. And that, De la Fuente admitted, wasn’t just another title; it was, they had hoped, the perfect World Cup preparation too.

Luis de la Fuente's view

You coached Spain at Under-19 and Under-21 level. You always said you knew these players better than anyone…

I’m very proud to manage a group like this. There is a model, an idea, that was established years ago in the federation and we’re continuing that. What we’re achieving now is the fruit of many years of work.

There has been a shift in style, though. How would you define your identity?

I would say that I am a coach with a classic concept of football. I like full-backs who go long, and wingers. I’m not one of those that likes players to be changing roles, turning up in positions that are not theirs. I believe in specialists. I try to bring simplicity to football: forwards, wingers, midfielders, all of them doing what they know. I like to play good football. We’re a team with different qualities and resources: we can run, press, drop in, keep the ball, counter. We know we have the ability to play with the ball, to combine, to be associative, but also that we have the players with the speed to counter, to transition. If they didn’t have those qualities, it would be impossible. They interpret it perfectly.

How important is the human side of building a team?

This generation is insatiable and this group will never take its feet off the ground. They never get tired of working, competing, being a team. We have the best footballers in the world – I have always insisted that we need to value what we have – but we also choose good people. They will never let opportunity pass them by because of an excess of vanity.

You have players in France, Germany, Italy, Portugal and England. Does that help?

If they were all playing in Spain it would be fantastic. But it’s good because when players go abroad they mature a lot and the demands made on them are useful. It takes you out of the comfort zone, bringing the best out of you.

What do you think of the expanded World Cup format?

One of the reasons why this World Cup will be the best in history is because it allows so many national teams to take part, countries we haven’t seen before will get the chance to be on the stage and we’ll see that they are well organised, technically good. This isn’t what it was years ago. And I don’t see a convergence of styles or level as a bad thing: I think it’s fantastic that Cape Verde play like Brazil.

Which other countries do you think will be contenders?

All of Europe is there. There are the African nations: Morocco have a great team, Senegal have a great team, Egypt are really good…go to South America: Colombia a great team, and that’s without mentioning Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay. Ecuador have great players. I don’t think we have ever had a competition where there are so many candidates. Us? Yes. But that doesn’t guarantee anything. There are many others: Germany, France, Portugal, Brazil, Argentina, Italy, England.

Tactics

Luis de la Fuente describes himself as a coach with “a classic concept of football”, and he brought a twist to tiki-taka. Under him, Spain still control games like few teams but have been prepared to have a little less possession in return for swifter transitions, going direct to open, fast wingers. “It’s intelligent to counterattack too,” the coach said, keen to find a way to make them less predictable.

De la Fuente shifted to 4-2-3-1 when he took over, although that can look more like 4-3-3 depending on the personnel used, based on form and fitness, and all the more so with Pedri now playing further back. De la Fuente could opt for a midfield two plus Dani Olmo or Fermin Lopez ahead of them (or Mikel Merino, if he returns from injury in time), or a central midfield three – if Fabian Ruiz recovers from a knee issue.

Doubts around Nico Williams’ condition open up the possibility of latest arrival Victor Munoz replacing him, or an inverted winger playing on the left. The full-backs will be encouraged to get up the pitch and the centre-backs will play out, if a little less so than in the past. Martin Zubimendi has been the perfect replacement for injured Rodri but it is not impossible that in certain moments there is a place for both.

The View From Spain

“The Euros, the Nations League and the confidence that comes from a long unbeaten run puts Spain among the favourites, and in a similar situation as to 2010. Back then, they had many of the best players in the world but they also needed a decisive centre-forward in David Villa, which is one player they do not really have now.”- Rodrigo Errasti, Radio Marca

“I get the feeling that Spain enjoy playing, because they have no fear and play with a lot of confidence. In tournaments you need luck at certain moments. But I think they have a lot of the ingredients to win it and I enjoy watching them play: their talent, enthusiasm, confidence and daring.” - Juan Mata, Spain 2010 World Cup winner

The Coach

Son of a sailor, lover of Rocky films, fascinated by Rome and profoundly Catholic, Luis de la Fuente is a former Athletic Club Bilbao full-back from Haro, deep in Rioja wine country, who is still tough as nails.

When he took over, his only first-team job had been an uninspiring 11-game spell with third-tier Alaves over a decade earlier and he was largely unknown. But he had won the Euros at Under-19 and Under-21 level and, promoted from within the federation, went on to lead Spain to the title with the seniors too. Also won the UEFA Nations League.