Spain

Spain enter World Cup 2026 in Group H, where the early tests are Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, and Cape Verde. Spain won their only World Cup in 2010, when their possession game defined an era. Since then, the tournament has been less forgiving, but the technical identity remains central. The current squad is shaped around Lamine Yamal, Pedri, and Rodri, a core that gives the team recognizable quality in the moments that usually decide group-stage matches: set pieces, transition attacks, and pressure around the box.

For this tournament, the assignment is both tactical and psychological: start quickly, protect the middle of the pitch, and make the group feel uncomfortable before the knockout picture forms. This group asks Spain to convert control into chances. With Rodri anchoring and Yamal adding unpredictability, they should be favorites to top Group H if the attack stays sharp. If Spain can turn its best individual stretches into a full 90-minute platform, the campaign has room to grow beyond a simple participation story.