Spain don become the team wey many people dey tip to win the World Cup this summer, and we take close look at Marc Cucurella side ahead of the tournament. La Roja go North America as the reigning European champions after they win the trophy for Germany two years ago.
Dem don dey unbeaten for 33 matches now, wey include qualifiers for two tournaments, Euro 2024 and friendlies. The last time dem lose game na all the way back for March 2023. Head coach Luis de la Fuente move smoothly from managing the Under-21s and don form tight-knit unit.
While dem no get as many star names as the golden generation of 2008 to 2012, dem still look like the team to beat. Marc Cucurella don be mainstay at left-back for Spain since he play vital part for their Euros triumph two years ago, when he assist the winning goal for the final.
Cucurella open his Spain account for this World Cup qualifying cycle, scoring tremendous goal away to Bulgaria. He don collect 23 caps now and go expect to add more this summer. As always, there be strong Premier League representation and plenty exciting young talent, spearheaded by Barcelona Lamine Yamal, wey go turn 19 five days before the final.
For the first time, no single Real Madrid player dey the squad. Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), David Raya (Arsenal), Joan Garcia (Barcelona). Defenders: Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid), Marc Pubill (Atletico Madrid), Pedro Porro (Tottenham), Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Bilbao), Eric Garcia (Barcelona), Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea), Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen).
Midfielders: Rodri (Manchester City), Martin Zubimendi (Arsenal), Mikel Merino (Arsenal), Pedri (Barcelona), Gavi (Barcelona), Fabian Ruiz (Paris St-Germain), Alex Baena (Atletico Madrid). Forwards: Yeremy Pino (Crystal Palace), Victor Munoz (Osasuna), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Borja Iglesias (Celta Vigo).
Spain don draw for Group H alongside tournament debutants Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay. Their fixture against Uruguay for the Mexican city of Guadalajara promise to be exciting occasion. Both their previous World Cup games against Uruguay – for 1966 and 1990 – don end for draw.
Spain vs Cape Verde, Atlanta, Monday 15 June, 5pm. Spain vs Saudi Arabia, Atlanta, Sunday 21 June, 5pm. Spain vs Uruguay, Guadalajara, Saturday 27 June, 1am. Dem begin their qualifying campaign with 3-0 and 6-0 away wins against Bulgaria and Turkey, respectively. Georgia dem beat am at home and away too.
Spain drop points and concede their first goals of qualifying for their final fixture, a 2-2 draw at home to Turkey, but their vastly superior goal difference mean dem don already assure of place at the World Cup. Dem lift the World Cup for the first and only time for 2010, winning all four of their knockout games 1-0, including bruising final against the Netherlands.
Before that success, their best finish na coming fourth for 1950, and dem don struggle since triumphing for South Africa 16 years ago. Dem no make it out of the group for 2014, and dem don get knock out for the last 16 for each of the last two tournaments, Russia and Morocco be their conquerors.
