Spain are going to the World Cup believing again.
For the first time since probably 2010, Spain are heading into a World Cup with genuine expectation rather than hope.
After winning Euro 2024, this group feels like the natural continuation of something bigger. Under Luis de la Fuente, Spain have found the perfect balance between the old identity we grew up with and a more direct, aggressive version of the national team.
We still dominate possession, but now there is speed, unpredictability, and real attacking intent. And that’s why so many people are backing Spain to win the whole thing.
How Spain Reached the World Cup
- Qualifying record: 5W-0L-1D
- Goals for / against: 21 / 2
- Top scorer: Mikel Merino, Mikel Oyarzabal (6)
- Assist leader: Mikel Oyarzabal (4)
Spain made qualification look comfortable.
Five wins, one draw, 21 goals scored, and only two conceded tells the story pretty clearly. The 6-0 win away against Türkiye early in qualifying was probably the moment everyone realised this team was operating at a different level.
What impressed me most was how controlled everything felt. Even when rotating players, Spain still looked organised, technically superior, and difficult to press.
There was no drama, no panic, and no real fear of missing out. That has not always been the case with Spain in recent tournaments.
Spain’s Group Fixtures
- Spain vs Cape Verde – June 15 – Atlanta, USA
- Spain vs Saudi Arabia – June 21 – Atlanta, USA
- Uruguay vs Spain – June 26 – Guadalajara, Mexico
Uruguay is obviously the standout game. Knowing how Marcelo Bielsa teams play, that could end up being one of the best matches of the group stage.
Why This Spain Team Feels Different
The biggest difference under De la Fuente is flexibility.
Previous Spain teams sometimes felt obsessed with controlling the ball at all costs, even when games needed something different. This side still has the technical quality in midfield, but now there is far more verticality and movement.
The midfield of Rodri and Pedri gives Spain complete control in most matches, while the wide players bring unpredictability that had been missing for years.
And of course, there is Lamine Yamal.
Everything changes when you have a player like that. Even coming off a hamstring injury that ended his Barcelona season early, he is still the player every opposition defence will fear most.
Players Who Will Define Our Tournament
Everyone will talk about Yamal, and rightly so, but I actually think Mikel Oyarzabal could quietly become Spain’s most important player this summer.
He has completely taken over the striker role and gives Spain something they have lacked at recent tournaments: composure and reliability in front of goal.
I’m also fascinated to see how much responsibility falls on players like Fermin Lopez and Alex Baena if Spain need energy from midfield areas.
The Tactical Questions
The biggest question for me is still defensive balance.
Spain press aggressively and dominate territory, but that also means transitions can become dangerous if the press is beaten. Against elite counter-attacking teams, that could become an issue later in the tournament.
There is also the usual concern around knockout football and penalties. Spain fans have seen too many tournaments decided that way.
Still, overall, this squad feels deeper and mentally stronger than the teams that disappointed in 2014, 2018, and 2022.
What Spain Expects This Summer
That might sound arrogant, but after Euro 2024 and the level this team has consistently shown under Luis de la Fuente, anything less than a semi-final would feel disappointing.
There is also a feeling in Spain that this generation could be at the start of something special again, similar to what happened between 2008 and 2012.
The pressure is obviously huge, especially with players like Lamine Yamal already becoming global superstars so young, but this team seems comfortable carrying expectation.
That’s probably the biggest difference compared to recent tournaments. Spain no longer look like a talented side searching for an identity.
They look like a team that believes it belongs at the top again.
Diego’s Predicted Spain XI
Formation: 4-2-3-1
GK Unai Simón
RB: Marcos Llorente
CB: Dean Huijsen
CB: Pau Cubarsí
LB: Marc Cucurella
CM: Rodri
CM: Pedri
RW: Lamine Yamal
AM: Fermín López
LW: Alex Baena
FW: Mikel Oyarzabal
My Expectation for Spain
I genuinely believe Spain can win this World Cup.
France, Brazil, England and Argentina will all have something to say about that, but Spain probably arrive in the best overall balance between structure, confidence, and attacking quality.
The biggest thing is that this team no longer looks afraid of the moment.
That matters at World Cups.
Quickfire
- Best group-stage fixture: Uruguay vs Spain
- Biggest concern: Defensive transitions
- Player I’m most excited for: Lamine Yamal
- Potential breakout player: Fermin Lopez
- Team I least want Spain to face: Brazil
