As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, Spain enters the tournament with renewed optimism and a squad brimming with talent (a certain youngster has everyone licking their lips to see what he might achieve on the biggest stage). Fresh off their triumphant UEFA Euro 2024 campaign, where they secured a record-breaking fourth European Championship title, La Roja aims to translate continental success into global dominance once again.
Spain has been tipped by some as having a very good chance in the tournament. The Euro 2024 triumph has definitely played a part in this. La Roja is a real force on the international stage.
People often bet on a variety of different markets when they are looking to bet on international tournaments. There will be variations, and it doesn’t just mean betting on the team that someone thinks will win. At Thunderpick Sportsbook, people will be betting on individual team performances and fixtures as well as outrights for the tournament. Even player markets prove to be popular in these kinds of tournaments.
The World Cup is the biggest stage imaginable for footballers, and bettors will be keeping a close eye on what they think might happen.
We all know what a force Spain can be. Remember the 2010 World Cup victory and consecutive European Championship wins in 2008 and 2012?
The years following their 2012 triumph saw a period of transition and underwhelming performances on the international stage as they lost some insanely good players to retirement.
The tide turned in 2024 when Spain clinched the Euro title in Berlin, defeating England 2–1 in the final. This victory marked their fourth European Championship.
Much of the talk has been around young Lamine Yamal. His teammates are backing him to reach the elite level of the sport, and nobody would be surprised.
A key factor in Spain’s resurgence is the emergence of young talents who have seamlessly integrated into the senior team. We have already discussed Lamine Yamal as he became the youngest player to feature and score in a European Championship, earning the Young Player of the Tournament award. His partnership with Nico Williams on the flanks provided Spain with dynamism and creativity, as evidenced by Williams’ goal in the Euro 2024 final.
In midfield, Rodri’s commanding presence and exceptional passing accuracy earned him the Player of the Tournament accolade. His ability to control the tempo of the game and shield the defense was instrumental in Spain’s success, but after a year out injured, will Rodri be the same player? He’s just returned to action and could do with a full season under his belt.
Defensively, Spain boasts a mix of experience and youth. Veterans provide leadership, while emerging talents such as Pau Cubarsí, an 18-year-old center-back from Barcelona, offer promise for the future.
The 2026 World Cup introduces a new format. This was debated a lot, but we now see 48 teams divided into 12 groups of four. The top two teams from each group will advance to a 32-team knockout stage, but there are also spaces for the best third-placed teams. This structure increases the number of matches and requires teams to maintain consistency and squad rotation throughout the tournament.
The squad is going to be tested, but the fact that they are stacked in virtually all positions could help handle the demands of the expanded format. Their ability to adapt tactically and manage player workloads will be important in navigating the group stage and progressing through the knockout rounds.
While Spain’s recent success and talented squad make them strong contenders, several challenges lie ahead. The physical demands of the expanded tournament could test the endurance of key players. The pressure of expectations following their Euro 2024 triumph may weigh heavily on the team, and there is always an expectation from the Spanish public.
Furthermore, the competition will be fierce, with traditional challengers like Brazil, France, and Argentina aiming to assert their dominance. Emerging teams will also be eager to make their mark on the global stage. Spain might need a bit of luck as well as some top performances.
We’re still a year out, and it is really impossible to say whether a team has a chance at this stage. Spain enters the 2026 World Cup with a player or two that every single team would love to have. There’s also a blend of youthful players and seasoned experience (players who have won many trophies). They’re bolstered by their recent European Championship victory. Not many would choose to bet against them.
Argentina might struggle to repeat their feat from a few years ago – they have lost some key players since then and have an ageing squad. Spain is likely to be one of the younger teams in the tournament, and some think this could work against them. With a bit of leadership in key positions, Spain will be a force.
It would be a real surprise to many if La Roja doesn’t make it to the latter stages of this tournament. But this is the World Cup, and who knows what is around the corner?