Spain 2026 World Cup preview: Odds, key players and predictions

Ladbrokes has priced Spain as the joint-favourites to win the 2026 World Cup at 9/2, with the blend of electric wingers, incredible midfield technicians, and solid defenders making Luis de la Fuente's side one of the most balanced - and fearsome - of the 48.

They are also the bookies' frontrunners to reach the final this summer, and are expected to score more goals than any other team at the World Cup - which would likely go some way to helping their forwards in both the Golden Boot race, and the fight for the Golden Ball.

• Qualification record: 5 wins - 1 draw - 0 losses

• Goals for / against: 21 / 2

Spain's qualification campaign was something to behold, scoring 21 goals across six games, conceding in just one match, and remaining unbeaten to qualify top of their group - building the perfect momentum to attack the 2026 World Cup with the intent of would-be world champions.

A surprising defeat to Portugal in the Nations League final preceded their unbeaten run, but having bounced back from that disappointment in real style, it's little wonder Spain lead so many betting markets this summer. Having scored four or more in half of their qualifying games, the Spanish frontline will strike fear into any defence at the World Cup - and with so much strength at the back, the ingredients for another successful summer are all in place.

Spain's best-ever World Cup finish remains their 2010 triumph in South Africa, where an extra-time goal from Andres Iniesta sealed his nation their only ever World Cup trophy. Somewhat surprisingly, this was also Spain's only appearance in a World Cup final to date, and just the second time they had ever reached the semi-finals (after 1950) - so the fact that feels like a bare minimum this time around highlights the outstanding quality in their squad.

Spain haven't even managed to reach the quarter-finals since 2010, losing round-of-16 matches in both 2018 (vs Russia) and 2022 (vs Japan), so the remit for this exciting new generation is clear - put an end to that dismal record.

This could be a really exciting summer for Spain, and with so many recent tournaments being shrouded in disappointment, 2026 could kickstart a new era of dominance for Spanish football.

The balance of Luis de la Fuente's squad means there's no reason why Spain can't go all the way this summer, with world-class talent everywhere you look. From Premier League champions and Ballon d'Or winners to Champions League holders and Golden Ball favourites, this 26-man group really does have everything.

The standout name is certainly Lamine Yamal, with the teenager tipped to challenge for this summer's Golden Boot and Player of the Tournament awards, but the likes of 2024 Ballon d'Or winner Rodri, Barcelona starlet Pedri, and reliable all-rounder Marcos Llorente will more than help out.

The fact that Premier League Golden Glove winner David Raya isn't even seen as their first-choice goalkeeper says everything about Spain's depth, so despite not including a single Real Madrid player, this squad is up there with the world's very best.

Spain's 2026 World Cup squad

Manager: Luis de la Fuente

Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Club), David Raya (Arsenal), Joan Garcia (Barcelona)

Defenders: Pedro Porro (Tottenham), Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid), Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Club), Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Marc Pubill (Atletico Madrid), Eric Garcia (Barcelona), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea), Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen)

Midfielders: Rodri (Manchester City), Martin Zubimendi (Arsenal), Pedri (Barcelona), Fabian Ruiz (PSG), Mikel Merino (Arsenal), Gavi (Barcelona), Alex Baena (Atletico Madrid)

Forwards: Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Borja Iglesias (Celta Vigo), Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Victor Munoz (Osasuna), Nico Williams (Athletic Club), Yeremy Pino (Crystal Palace)

Our predicted lineup for Spain's opening game against Cape Verde sees them set up in a 4-3-3 formation.

GK: Unai Simon

RB: Marcos Llorente

CB: Pau Cubarsi

CB: Aymeric Laporte

LB: Marc Cucurella

CM: Rodri

CM: Martin Zubimendi

CM: Pedri

RW: Lamine Yamal

ST: Mikel Oyarzabal

LW: Ferran Torres

Spain have been drawn into Group H for the World Cup, and considering the lack of renowned international quality accompanying them, they enter as overwhelming favourites to top the group and progress to the round of 32 without breaking much of a sweat.

Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, and Cape Verde make up Spain's opponents in the opening two weeks of the tournament, and any of them will do well to pick up even a point against the World Cup's joint-favourites - but it's never quite that simple, with the heat of the World Cup stage always cooking up some special storylines.

You can check out our in-depth preview for Group H, including information on all four nations, with odds and predictions.

With Luis de la Fuente's side entering the World Cup as market leaders on so many fronts, our experts clearly aren't the only ones who think they're going to impress this summer - but we're backing Spain to go all the way and win the 2026 World Cup, lifting the trophy for the second time in five tournaments.

Frightening forward threat being backed up by such impressive midfield ability makes it hard to ignore the Spaniards in outright winner conversations, and with that Euros success still pretty fresh in the memory, they already know they have what it takes to get over the line in big moments.

Spain haven't lost a competitive game inside 90 minutes since losing to Scotland in March 2023, which really does say it all. They score goals for fun, are almost impossible to break down, and dominate the ball - which will be crucial in the North American heat - so it all adds up to make Spain our predicted World Cup winners.

Prediction: World Cup winners

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All odds and market details are accurate as of the time of publication.

View the latest World Cup 2026 odds.