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Soccer

Spain's potential route to the 2026 World Cup final

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Published by Alex Charlton
16 hours ago
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Spain has selected their squad and knows its potential pathway to the 2026 World Cup, so with just weeks until the finals, attention is turning to its chances this summer. 

Luis de la Fuente's men will face Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay in Group H, with their first two matches taking place in the USA, while the third will be in Mexico.

For the first time in World Cup history, 48 teams will participate in the tournament, a rise from the traditional 32-team format.

With Spain one of the World Cup favourites, DAZN News looks at their potential route to the final at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, on July 19.

World Cup trophy_03122025Michael Regan - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

Spain handed favourable World Cup group

Spain was one of the top seeds during the World Cup draw and has been given a reasonably straightforward group.

La Roja’s toughest opponents will be Uruguay, but they have yet to lose to the South American sides in 10 matches, while manager Marcelo Bielsa is under pressure.

  • Read next |  What is the Group of Death in the 2026 World Cup? Who is in it?

The European champions will also face Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia as the lower-ranked teams in their group, who are ranked 69 and 61 in the world, respectively.

Pedro scored twice in Spain's thumping of Saudi Arabia in 2012, while they are yet to play against Cape Verde, who are primed for their debut at the World Cup.

Group H
Spain
Uruguay
Saudi Arabia
Cape Verde

Who could Spain face in the Round of 32?

If Spain win their group as expected, then they will face the runners-up from Group J, meaning there are four possible teams they could face.

Among those sides are Argentina, Austria, Jordan, and Algeria.

Should De la Fuente’s men finish second in their group, then they would head to Miami to face the winners of Group J, most likely Argentina.

In the unlikely scenario that Spain qualify as one of the eight best third-place sides, then they would play the winner from either Group I, A, L, or G, who is most likely to be France, Mexico, England, or Argentina

Spain's potential opponents in Round of 16

If Los Rojas win their group, then their most likely opponent in the Last 16 would be Croatia or Colombia, should they finish as runners-up in their groups, with a meeting set for Dallas on July 6 at 8pm BST.

Should De la Fuente’s men finish second in their group and progress past the winners of Group J, then they would probably face one of Egypt, Paraguay, Turkey, or the United States.

If Spain finishes third and progresses to the Round of 16, then they could face a range of sides, including France, Germany, England, or Belgium.

Luis DiazGetty Images

Belgium the most likely quarter-final opponent

Should Spain top the group and progress to the quarter-finals, then their most likely opponents would be Rudi Garcia's Belgium or co-hosts USA.

The potential clash would take place at the Los Angeles Stadium in LA on July 10, and Los Rojas have a stellar record against either opponent.

If the European champions finish second in their group and reach the quarter-finals, then they would likely play Portugal, while Switzerland is another possibility.

Finish third in their group, then there are several pathways Spain could take, with possible meetings against France, Portugal, or England.

Spain could face France in the semi-finals

If Spain win their group and reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2010, when they lifted the trophy, then they could face another former champion in France.

Should they meet, then the match is scheduled to take place at the Dallas Stadium in Dallas on July 14, with kick-off at 8pm BST.

The two nations have only met once in a World Cup, with France victorious in 2006, courtesy of Franck Ribery, Patrick Vieira, and Zinedine Zidane's goals.

  • Read next |  When are Spain playing at the 2026 World Cup? Dates, kick-off times, and full schedule

Finish second in their group and reach the semi-finals, then De la Fuente’s men would likely play England or Brazil in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on July 15, with kick-off set for 8pm BST.

Despite lifting the trophy a record five times, Brazil have failed to progress past the quarter-finals in their last two tournaments and only finished fifth in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying standings.

If Spain finish third in their group and manage to reach the semi-finals, then they could face one of Brazil, Argentina, or Italy.

Messi Argentina_December 2022Alex Pantling/Getty Images

Spain and England could compete in another final

Due to the new seeding rules, top seeds Spain will avoid facing England until the final, should they win their respective group.

However, if Los Rojas finish as runners-up, then they would most likely play reigning champions Argentina.

That match is scheduled to take place at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on July 19, with kick-off set for 8pm BST.

Who made Luis de la Fuente's Spain squad?

All squads are provisional until FIFA announces the final list of 26 players, following the submission of applications by the participating teams on June 2.

Luis de la Fuente announced his final squad on May 25.

Shirt Number* Position Player
 GoalkeeperUnai Simón (Athletic Club)
 GoalkeeperDavid Raya (Arsenal)
 GoalkeeperJoan García (Barcelona)
 Defender Marcos Llorente (Atlético Madrid)
 Defender Pedro Porro (Tottenham)
 Defender Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Club)
 Defender Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona)
 Defender Marc Cucurella (Chelsea)
 Defender Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen)
 MidfielderRodri (Manchester City)
 MidfielderFabian Ruiz (PSG)
 MidfielderMikel Merino (Arsenal)
 MidfielderMartín Zubimendi (Arsenal)
 MidfielderPedri (Barcelona)
 MidfielderGavi (Barcelona)
 MidfielderDani Olmo (Barcelona)
 ForwardYeremy Pino (Crystal Palace)
 ForwardÁlex Baena (Atlético Madrid)
 ForwardAnder Barrenetxea (Real Sociedad)
 ForwardVíctor Muñoz (Osasuna)
 ForwardMikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad)
 ForwardNico Williams (Athletic Bilbao)
 ForwardFerran Torres (Barcelona)
 ForwardBorja Iglesias (Celta Vigo)
 ForwardLamine Yamal (Barcelona)

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