This Spain World Cup profile is your guide to the Spain national football team at World Cup 2026: their unbeaten route to the final, the squad, the key players and the plan Luis de la Fuente has built. The European champions are 90 minutes from a first world title since 2010 — and they have got there by blending the tournament’s most exciting young talent with its meanest defence.
Spain at the World Cup 2026: the essentials
- Status: In the World Cup 2026 final
- Ranking: European champions (Euro 2024)
- Head coach: Luis de la Fuente
- Star players: Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal
- Route: Unbeaten — through the group, then Austria, Portugal, Belgium and France
- Defensive record: One goal conceded in seven games
Spain’s route to the final
Spain came through the group stage unbeaten and then won every knockout tie, conceding only once along the way:
| Stage | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Spain vs Cape Verde | 0-0 |
| Group | Spain vs Saudi Arabia | 4-0 |
| Group | Uruguay vs Spain | 0-1 |
| Round of 32 | Spain vs Austria | 3-0 |
| Round of 16 | Portugal vs Spain | 0-1 |
| Quarter-final | Spain vs Belgium | 2-1 |
| Semi-final | France vs Spain | 0-2 |
Spain’s squad and key players
Spain’s strength is a spine that runs from a settled defence to the most talked-about teenager in the game. In goal, Unai Simón has been dependable behind a back line marshalled by 19-year-old Pau Cubarsí and Aymeric Laporte, with Pedro Porro an attacking threat from right-back — his two goals include the strike that sent Spain to the final.
In midfield, Rodri dictates the tempo alongside Pedri and Fabián Ruiz, freeing the attack to do damage. That attack is led by Lamine Yamal, the teenage winger who has lit up the tournament, and Mikel Oyarzabal, the top-scoring striker who netted the Euro 2024 final winner and the semi-final penalty here. Nico Williams offers pace off the bench, and Mikel Merino has been the ultimate super-sub, scoring decisive knockout goals against Portugal and Belgium.
Spain’s defence: the meanest at the World Cup 2026
No team has defended better. Spain conceded just one goal in seven games — Charles De Ketelaere’s equaliser in the quarter-final — and kept six clean sheets, including a shut-out of Kylian Mbappé and France in the semi-final. Cubarsí’s composure and Unai Simón’s reliability have turned defence into the foundation of Spain’s run.
Spain’s top scorers
Mikel Oyarzabal leads the way with five goals, including braces against Saudi Arabia and Austria. Mikel Merino and Pedro Porro have two apiece, with Fabián Ruiz also on the scoresheet in the quarter-final.
The final ahead
Spain now await the winner of England v Argentina in the World Cup 2026 final. Under Luis de la Fuente, the European champions are one win from adding the world title to the trophy they lifted in 2024. See how the knockouts have played out via our World Cup 2026 hub.
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Yes. Spain beat France 2-0 in the semi-final to reach the final, where they face the winner of England v Argentina.
Luis de la Fuente, who also led Spain to victory at Euro 2024.
Mikel Oyarzabal, with five goals, including braces against Saudi Arabia and Austria.
Just one – Charles De Ketelaere’s equaliser in the quarter-final against Belgium – across seven games.
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