ESP
FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 · GROUP H · POT 1

Spain
World Cup 26-man squad

Manager Luis de la Fuente · First World Cup as head coach (appointed Dec 2022; won Euro 2024)
MD1 Jun 15 vs Cape Verde MD2 Jun 21 vs Saudi Arabia MD3 Jun 27 vs Uruguay
17th World Cup appearance · best finish: Champions (2010)
26
Squad size
26.2
Avg. age
9 / 26
Overseas-based
12 / 14
WC veterans / Debutants
TEAM STORY

Luis de la Fuente's Spain arrives on the back of their Euro 2024 triumph. Rodri (Manchester City) captains the side, and 18-year-old Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) is the marquee attacking name. Spain has named no Real Madrid players for the first time in their World Cup history.

The midfield is a luxury — Rodri, Pedri (Barcelona) and Fabián Ruiz (PSG). Attacking options abound: Yamal, Nico Williams (Athletic Club), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Ferran Torres (Barcelona) and Dani Olmo (Barcelona). Aymeric Laporte (Athletic) and Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona) form the central defence.

Group H pairs Spain with debutants Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay. Top spot is the Pot 1 expectation; the final-day Uruguay game (June 27, Zapopan) is likely to settle the standings.

PREDICTED XI

LIKELY 4-3-3.

Predicted 4-3-3 based on Euro 2024. Yamal and Williams stretch the field, with Oyarzabal as the central striker. Note both Yamal and Williams are returning from injury, so their early-tournament usage remains uncertain.

4-3-3 (predicted)
KEY PLAYERS

KEY PLAYERS.

The five players who set the tone in the group stage — by role and trait.

16
CDM · MF
Rodri
Manchester City · 29 · Premier League
61 caps · 4G WC: 2022
Captain & defensive midfield anchor
CAPTAIN
19
FW · FW
Lamine Yamal
FC Barcelona · 18 · La Liga
25 caps · 8G WC debut
Teen attacking talisman
ACE
20
MF · MF
Pedri
FC Barcelona · 23 · La Liga
41 caps · 4G WC: 2022
Midfield metronome
17
LW · FW
Nico Williams
Athletic Club · 23 · La Liga
30 caps · 6G WC: 2022
Left-wing dribbler
21
FW · FW
Mikel Oyarzabal
Real Sociedad · 29 · La Liga
41 caps · 13G WC debut
Euro 2024 final goalscorer
SQUAD

SQUAD 26.

GK GOALKEEPERS 3
DF DEFENDERS 8
MF MIDFIELDERS 7
FW FORWARDS 8
GROUP H

GROUP H.

ESP
Spain
POT 1
CPV
Cape Verde
POT 2
KSA
Saudi Arabia
POT 3
URU
Uruguay
POT 4
Mon, Jun 15
Spain vs Cape Verde
Atlanta Stadium · Atlanta, USA
Opener against debutants Cape Verde. With Yamal and Williams both returning from injury, the question is how Spain creates from the wings.
View lineups →
MD1
Sun, Jun 21
Spain vs Saudi Arabia
Atlanta Stadium · Atlanta, USA
Rodri's command of midfield is the focus against Saudi Arabia's pressing front.
View lineups →
MD2
Sat, Jun 27
Uruguay vs Spain
Estadio Guadalajara · Zapopan, Mexico
Group decider. Uruguay's Núñez and Pellistri test the height of the Cubarsí/Laporte centre-back pairing.
View lineups →
MD3

Road to the final

Spoiler-free: the potential bracket route by final group position. No results shown.

Win Group H
  1. Round of 32 Jul 02 · Inglewood vs Runners-up Group J
  2. Round of 16 Jul 06 · Arlington vs Winner of Match 83
  3. Quarter-finals Jul 10 · Inglewood vs Winner of Match 94
  4. Semi-finals Jul 14 · Arlington vs Winner of Match 97
  5. Final Jul 19 · East Rutherford vs Winner of Match 102
Runners-up, Group H
  1. Round of 32 Jul 03 · Miami Gardens vs Winners Group J
  2. Round of 16 Jul 07 · Atlanta vs Winner of Match 88
  3. Quarter-finals Jul 11 · Kansas City vs Winner of Match 96
  4. Semi-finals Jul 15 · Atlanta vs Winner of Match 99
  5. Final Jul 19 · East Rutherford vs Winner of Match 101
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