As the FIFA World Cup approaches from 2026, Spain comes in the tournament with renewed optimism and a team full of talent full of (a certain young person lets everyone lick their lips to see what he could achieve on the largest stage). Fresh from their triumphant UEFA Euro 2024 campaign, where they have obtained a record-breaking fourth European championship title, La Roja wants to re-translate continental success into global dominance.
Spain has been tipped by some as a very good chance in the tournament. The Euro 2024 Triumph has certainly played a role in this. La Roja is a real power on the international stage.
People often bet in different markets when they want to bet on international tournaments. There will be variations, and it does not only mean that it will win on the team that someone thinks it will win. At Thunderpick Sportsbook, people will bet on individual team performance and luminaires, as well as outright for the tournament. Even players' markets appear to be popular in this kind of tournament.
The World Cup is the largest stage that is conceivable for football players, and gamblers will keep a close eye on what they think could happen.
We all know what a power Spain can be. Do you remember the World Cup victory of 2010 and consecutive European Championship victories in 2008 and 2012?
In the years after their Triumph 2012, a period of transition and overwhelming performances saw on the international stage because they lost a number of incredibly good players of retirement.
The tide turned in 2024 when Spain won the Euro title in Berlin and England defeated 2-1 in the final. This victory marked their fourth European championship.
Much of the conversation went around the young Lamine Yamal. His teammates support him to reach the elite level of the sport, and nobody would be surprised.
An important factor in the revival of Spain is the rise of young talents that are seamlessly integrated into the senior team. We have already discussed Lamine Yamal because he became the youngest player who performs and scored in a European championship and achieved the young player of the Tournament Award. His collaboration with Nico Williams on the flanks offered Spain dynamics and creativity, as evidenced by the goal of Williams in the Euro 2024 final.
In midfield, Rodri's impressive presence and exceptional passing accuracy gave him the player of the tournament -awards. His ability to control the pace of the game and protect the defense played an important role in the success of Spain, but will Rodri be the same player after a year? He has just returned to action and could do with a full season under his belt.
Defensively, Spain has a mix of experience and youth. Veterans offer leadership, while emerging talents such as Pau Cubarsí, an 18-year-old center-back from Barcelona, offer promise for the future.
The World Cup 2026 is introducing a new format. This was much discussed, but we now see 48 teams divided into 12 groups of four. The top two teams of each group continue to a knockout phase of 32 teams, but there are also spaces for the best third teams. This structure increases the number of competitions and requires that teams retain consistency and squadrotation in the tournament.
The team is tested, but the fact that they are stacked in almost all positions can help to meet the requirements of the extensive size. Their ability to adapt tactically and manage player workloads is important when navigating through the group phase and continuing the knockout rounds.
While the recent success of Spain and the talented team make them strong contenders, there are various challenges for us. The physical requirements of the extensive tournament can test the endurance of important players. The pressure of expectations after their Euro 2024 Triumph can weigh heavily in the team, and there is always an expectation from the Spanish public.
Moreover, competition will be fierce, with traditional challengers such as Brazil, France and Argentina who want to assert their dominance. Emerging teams will also like to leave their mark on the global stage. Spain may need some luck and some top performance.
We have been out for another year, and it is really impossible to say whether a team has a chance at this stage. Spain arrives the World Cup 2026 with a player or two who would like each team. There is also a mix of youthful players and experienced experience (players who have won many trophies). They are reinforced by their recent victory of the European Championship. Not much would choose to bet against them.
Argentina may have difficulty repeating their performance a few years ago – they have since lost a number of important players and have an outdated team. Spain is probably one of the younger teams in the tournament, and some think that this could work against them. With a little leadership in key positions, Spain will be a force.
For many it would be a real surprise if La Roja did not reach the last phases of this tournament. But this is the World Cup, and who knows what's around the corner?