🇪🇸 Spain at the World Cup 2026
Spain's 2026 World Cup: Group H winners, then Austria, Portugal, Belgium and France on the way to a 1–0 extra-time win over Argentina in the July 19 final — a second world title.
2026 World Cup summary
Spain beat Austria 3–0 in the Round of 32, edged Portugal 1–0 in the Round of 16, beat Belgium 2–1 in the quarter-finals, then beat France 2–0 in the first semi-final to reach the final, where they beat Argentina 1–0 after extra time.
The knockout branch began with Spain vs Austria. Final recap: Spain 1–0 Argentina a.e.t. (Final, Match 103).
Champions. Spain beat Argentina 1–0 after extra time in the final at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 — Ferran Torres scoring the winner in the 106th minute — to lift their second World Cup.
Group results and standing
Spain finished group winner in Group H with 7 points and a +5 goal difference.
Knockout results
Coach & captain
Head coach: Luis de la Fuente. The manager who delivered the UEFA Euro 2024 title arrived at this World Cup having proven he can win tournaments with this generation of players. His high-energy, positional approach suits a squad with extraordinary midfield quality. The squad had the system and personnel to add a second World Cup title to the Euro 2024 triumph — and did.
How they qualified
Spain qualified through UEFA European qualifying, winning their group. The campaign came off the back of the Euro 2024 victory and saw Spain maintain the same playing identity and personnel, giving the squad tournament experience and cohesion heading into 2026.
Group stage summary
Spain won Group H with seven points and a +5 goal difference — a composed, controlled group stage performance that reflected the maturity of their system. They won two and drew one, but the level of dominance in their best performances pointed to a team that was comfortable holding something back for the knockout rounds. Lamine Yamal and Pedri were consistently excellent; the midfield structure was as reliable as any in the competition.
Key players
- Lamine Yamal (winger) — the teenager who lit up Euro 2024 has continued to develop into one of the most exciting players in the competition. Direct, creative, and dangerous from both feet, he is the most difficult player in Spain's attack to contain.
- Pedri (midfielder) — the creative hub of Spain's possession game. His technical quality, vision, and ability to find space in tight areas make him the most important player in Spain's build-up phase.
- Rodri (midfielder) — defensive midfield anchor whose positioning, passing, and reading of the game anchor Spain's entire structure. When Rodri is in control, Spain are rarely troubled.
World Cup history
Spain won the World Cup once — in 2010 in South Africa, completing a historic treble with their first European Championship title in 2008 and their first defence in 2012. They did not advance past the group stage in 2014 or 2018, but rebuilt with a younger generation and won Euro 2024. They won their second World Cup in 2026, beating Argentina 1–0 after extra time in the final at New York New Jersey Stadium — confirming this as one of Spanish football's most successful eras.
Bracket path
Spain's knockout route started against Austria at Los Angeles Stadium on July 2 and ended with the 1–0 extra-time win over Argentina in the July 19 final at New York New Jersey Stadium. The full bracket is visible on the bracket visualiser.