Spain predicted lineup for FIFA World Cup 2026 ft. Lamine Yamal & Rodri

La Roja are reigning Euro champions.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup champions are coming after winning Euro 2024. They will be eyeing to replicate the heroics of 2010 with their ‘Golden Generation 2.0’ under Luis de la Fuente. The coach rose into prominence after managing Spanish youth teams.

However, it seems like the ‘Champions Curse,’ even after so many years, hasn’t faded away. La Roja have failed to make it past the Round of 16 in the last two editions. This comes after a humiliating group stage exit in the 2014 edition.

Spain is one of the favourites to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This is due to their players’ recent form in the Euro and domestic league.

Apart from that, this young generation of Spanish players does not carry the past failure traumas. They will be keen to go all guns blazing in the upcoming edition.

They are drawn alongside Uruguay, Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia and are the favourites to top their group. But they would be wary of the threats posed by debutants Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia, who pulled one of the biggest upsets in the last edition by beating Argentina.

In this article, we find out how De la Fuente’s men could potentially line up in the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Spain predicted XI (4-3-3)

GK: Unai Simon – Athletic Club

Simon is coming after a decent campaign with Bilbao, with six clean sheets this season. On the other hand, David Raya kept more than thrice the number of clean sheets than Simon. Raya was also on the verge of winning top European honours, the UEFA Champions League, after winning the Premier League with Arsenal.

However, Simon was a formidable presence between the sticks for Spain in Euro 2024. De la Fuente strictly favours dressing-room seniority. While Raya has been in spectacular form in England, Simon’s familiarity with Spain’s high-line system gives him a starting advantage.

Also read: Portugal predicted lineup for FIFA World Cup 2026 ft. Ronaldo & Bruno

RB: Marcos Llorente – Atlético Madrid

Llorente covered more distance than any other player in Diego Simeone’s system and almost propelled Atlético Madrid into the UCL finals this season. After Dani Carvajal’s omission from the squad, Pedro Porro remains his major competitor. But he is just coming after saving Tottenham from relegation.

What makes Llorente an asset is his positional versatility. He can very well don the defensive midfield position and can equally dominate flanks like a full back. Spain needs a robust fullback who won’t get caught out on transitions, and Llorente fills that void perfectly.

CB: Pau Cubarsí – FC Barcelona

The teenage sensation from FC Barcelona marshalled one of the tightest defences in the Spanish top flight. He is coming after winning the LaLiga with the Blaugrana outfit. He is a generational talent and has made 48 appearances for Barca this season.

This will be his World Cup debut. Spain’s identity requires building out from the back. Cubarsi is just flawless at the back, even in high-pressure situations against tough teams.

CB: Aymeric Laporte – Athletic Club

After two brilliant seasons with the Knights of Najd in Saudi Arabia, he secured a high-profile move to San Mames this season. He made a total of 30 appearances and started almost every game for La Roja in the last World Cup.

For a right-footed Cubarsi, Laporte provides the vital left-sided passing angle that perfectly balances the defensive setup. Also, his flawless aerial command and brilliant reading of the game make him one of the most technically sound players in the squad.

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LB: Marc Cucurella – Chelsea FC

One of the best finds of Euro 2024, Marc Cucurella was one of the finest players for Chelsea amid a tough domestic and continental season after a series of managerial changes. He played 56 games for the Blues and dominated the left flank completely.

Omitting Alejandro Grimaldo was not easy. But Cucurella provides the defensive stability and balance needed to handle elite wingers in a traditional back-four system.

CM: Rodri – Manchester City FC

Rodri was the Player of the Tournament in Euro 2024 after leading Spain to glory. In the last World Cup, Luis Enrique started Rodri in every single game as a centre back. But under De la Fuente, he dominated the defensive midfield role brilliantly.

Rodri is the heart, soul, and brain of the Spain national team. His presence guarantees that his side will never get overrun in midfield, especially with a younger defensive setup. There is no hesitation in admitting that he is the best defensive midfielder on this planet currently.

Also read: Belgium predicted lineup for FIFA World Cup 2026 ft. Courtois & De Bruyne

CAM: Fabián Ruiz – Paris Saint-Germain FC

Fabian Ruiz helped PSG lift their second UEFA Champions League trophy in two years. He had 11 goal contributions for Luis Enrique’s side in 40 games this season. He has been absolutely brilliant.

He was excellent in Spain’s European campaign and scored against Croatia in the opener. This is despite La Roja being drawn in the ‘Group of Death’ alongside defending champions Italy, Croatia and Albania.

CM: Pedri – FC Barcelona

He started every game for Spain in the previous campaign as a teenage sensation. But now he will be tasked with the responsibility to create opportunities from the centre of the park.

Pedri is a pure creative genius. He has an extraordinary vision that can unlock tight defences with his artistic and unhurried precision. It makes the Barcelona midfielder one of the best talents to watch out for.

Also read: List of all FC Barcelona stars heading to FIFA World Cup 2026 ft. Lamine Yamal & Raphinha

RW: Lamine Yamal – FC Barcelona

41 goal contributions in 45 games for one of the best teams in Europe and Spain at just 18, Yamal is the face of modern Spanish football. His presence draws multiple defenders, instantly creating operating room for Oyarzabal and Nico Williams to score.

The world bowed down to his brilliance in Euro 2024 when he scored that jaw-dropping goal against a world-class French team in the semi-finals. This was after the Les Blues were a goal up.

ST: Mikel Oyarzabal – Real Sociedad

It was 1-1 in the Euro 2024 finals, and it seemed Spain would need to wait for some more time to win the top European honours since their last win back in 2012. But Oyarzabal had different plans. He went on to score a winner in the 86th minute to win it all for Spain.

He is coming after a brilliant season with Real Sociedad, winning the Copa del Rey and securing a UEFA Europa League berth. He had 22 goal contributions in 40 games for Real Sociedad. He has been in spectacular form.

Also read: France predicted lineup for FIFA World Cup 2026 ft. Mbappe & Dembele

LW: Nico Williams – Athletic Club

Williams had a decent season with Bilbao, making him the third player from the Athletic Club to feature in the Spanish probable lineup. He had 10 goal contributions in 30 games.

His blistering vertical pace and acceleration stretch defences horizontally. Who can forget how Williams terrorised the flank all night long in the Euro 2024 finals? He even opened the scoring with a cold-blooded finish to put Spain ahead.

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