2026 FIFA World Cup Spain team odds, betting predictions
Will the 2026 FIFA World Cup become known as the Lamine Yamal World Cup years from now? Only time and performances will tell, and it all hinges on the 18-year-old Barcelona forward’s left hamstring, which has kept him out of competitive play since April.
Even with lingering doubts over Yamal’s availability in the group stage, Spain, the 2010 World Cup champions, enters this year’s tournament as the co-favourite, riding high after winning Euro 2024.
With technical superiority and tactical flexibility, Spain are legitimate contenders to win their second World Cup.
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Spain odds
At +450, La Roja enter the World Cup as the co-favourite with 2022 runners-up France and just ahead Euro 2024 finalist England (+650) and South American superpowers Brazil and Argentina, both listed at +800.
The Spanish are -500 favourites to win Group H, and Real Sociedad’s Mike Oyarzabal (+1400), who scored the Euro 2024 winner, and Yamal (+1600) are among the favourites to win the Golden Boot for the World Cup’s top goalscorer.
Spain is the deserved favourite due to squad depth, recent success, and a favourable group (Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay). Their technical quality makes them dangerous, but youth and occasional defensive lapses could be exploited in the knockout stages.
Spain squad strengths
Under manager Luis de la Fuente, La Roja blends youthful brilliance with experienced leadership. Spain’s greatest strength lies in its exceptional midfield and technical quality.
Rodri, the 2023/24 Ballon d’Or-winning Manchester City midfielder, may be the squad’s best player. He provides world-class defensive stability and distribution, while Pedri (Barcelona) controls tempo with elite vision.
Yamal led La Liga with 11 assists and had 24 goals in all competitions. He offers explosive dribbling and creativity on the right, complemented by Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams’ pace on the left. Yamal and Ferran Torres each scored 16 goals in La Liga play, with Oyarzabal right behind them with 15.
Dani Olmo and Martin Zubimendi are also in the squad, as are Barcelona teen center back Pau Cubarsi, Aymeric Laporte, and Marcos Llorente. The team features a trio of goalkeepers, including Arsenal’s David Raya, Athletic Club’s Unai Simon, and Barcelona’s Joan Garcia, that rivals any country on Earth.
Spain squad weaknesses
Every squad is missing at least one or two players due to injuries, and Spain is no exception. Fermin Lopez, who had nine La Liga assists for Barcelona, is confirmed out after fracturing the fifth metatarsal in his right foot.
Dani Carvajal, Real Madrid’s revered right back, will miss the World Cup with a fractured toe. And Williams, who had 6 goals and 3 assists with Athletic Club this season, is also dealing with some hamstring issues that could limit his availability and effectiveness during the group stage as well.
If the squad is without Yamal and Williams for any significant period, its attacking width could shrink considerably.
Also, despite their talent, Spain can be vulnerable defensively, especially when playing a high line. The centre-back pairing (often Cubarsi and Laporte) sometimes lacks physicality against direct, athletic strikers. And De la Fuente’s attacking style can leave gaps if the press is bypassed.
2026 FIFA World Cup Spain prediction: Spain to reach the semifinals (+125)
Spain can absolutely win it all. And FIFA’s new seeding system ensures that the Spaniards, along with France, England, and Argentina, are in separate quadrants and, if they each win their groups, won’t meet until the quarterfinals or semifinals at the earliest.
La Roja are arguably the most complete team in the tournament and should top Group H comfortably. Their blend of technical mastery, pressing intensity, and squad depth positions them perfectly for a deep run. Cape Verde should be an easy opener. Saudi Arabia has proven it can beat a giant, taking down eventual champ Argentina in the 2022 group stage, but Spain should have that one under control as well.
Uruguay will be a test to close the stage, but the Spaniards are destined for a deep run. They won Euro 2008 and 2012, sandwiched around their 2010 World Cup triumph. They are on course to replicate that achievement with this squad as well.