Spain National Team Begins 2026 World Cup with Record Streak and New Lineup. Spain enters the World Cup with a 30-match unbeaten run and a refreshed squad. In Chattanooga, the team will be based at a closed training camp. Authorities in Madrid are preparing fan zones for supporters.
The Spanish national team is starting its campaign at the 2026 World Cup in the USA with one of the most impressive streaks in its history: the team has gone 30 matches unbeaten and retains the core group that secured victory at Euro 2024. Head coach Luis de la Fuente has made three key changes: Oyarzabal replaces Morata up front, Cubarsí takes the center-back spot from Le Normand, and Marcos Llorente comes in at right back instead of Carvajal. The rest of the positions are held by trusted players — Simón, Laporte, Cucurella, Rodri, Pedri, Fabián, Lamine Yamal, and Nico Williams.
Fabián Ruiz continues to strengthen his status as the team’s talisman: the PSG midfielder has never lost in any of his 42 matches for Spain, surpassing Xavi’s record and edging closer to the all-time benchmark held by Carlos Marchena (57 matches unbeaten). Spain heads into the tournament with a record of 23 wins and 7 draws in the past 26 months, suffering defeat only in a friendly against Colombia in spring 2024.
In Chattanooga, Tennessee, the team has a closed training base on the Baylor School grounds. The city has invested over half a million euros to ensure the team’s safety and infrastructure. The first open training session drew more than a thousand fans, with particular attention on Lamine Yamal, who has recovered from injury and is ready for his debut, though according to Cadena SER, he will start the tournament on the bench.
Spain's debut match will be against Cape Verde, which is playing its first-ever game at a World Cup. Authorities in the African country have declared a shortened working day for public servants and students so everyone can follow the historic event. The President of Cape Verde has personally traveled to Atlanta to support the national team.
In Madrid, the authorities, together with the football federation, will set up a giant screen in Plaza de Colón for broadcasts of the national team's matches. If the team reaches the quarterfinals, an additional fan zone will appear in Puente del Rey. The screen in Colón will be in operation for all matches starting before 22:00.
Mikel Oyarzabal is among the top three contenders for the Golden Boot according to Betfair, trailing only Kylian Mbappé and Harry Kane. In forecasts, he ranks ahead of players like Messi, Lamine Yamal, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Vinicius.
The Spanish national team is participating in the World Cup for the 17th consecutive time. The team has played 67 matches, recorded 31 wins, and scored 108 goals. Their best result was winning in South Africa in 2010, with Iniesta scoring the decisive goal. David Villa remains Spain’s top World Cup scorer with nine goals. Now, young players such as Lamine Yamal, Rodri, and Pedri are leading the team.
Most analytical models and bookmakers consider Spain one of the main favorites of the tournament, along with France, Argentina, Brazil, and Germany. However, mathematician Joachim Clement highlights the Netherlands as a possible winner in his calculations. The detailed match schedule, new tournament rules, and information about free broadcasts for Spanish viewers can be found in the article on the start of the 2026 World Cup.
For reference: the 2026 World Cup is being held for the first time in three countries at once—USA, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament features 48 teams, and the final will take place in New York. Spain remains one of the few European teams to consistently reach the World Cup finals since 1978.
