World Cup 2026: Spain the 'beautifully structured' machine with a Lamine Yamal fear

There was a time when Spain looked at the rest of the footballing world with a sense of total entitlement. Between 2008 and 2012, La Roja built a dynasty that left the rest of the globe chasing shadows, with their World Cup triumph in 2010 sandwiched between two European Championship titles.

But when that golden era came crashing down, a decade of painful restarts forced the nation to consume a massive dose of humble pie. Heading into this summer's 2026 World Cup, however, the mood in Spain is entirely different. It is a healthier, more balanced kind of optimism.

After silencing an army of doubters to storm their way to the Euro 2024 title - soundly beating Croatia, Italy, Germany, France and England along the way - Luis de la Fuente's side have re-established themselves as a global powerhouse. They arrive in North America with the calculated precision of a team that knows exactly who they are.

To get an insider's view on La Roja's preparation, the tactical obsessiveness of the country, and their desperate search for a lethal finisher, our Make Football Great Again podcast with Spanish-American sports journalist and ITV World Cup presenter Semra Hunter, who believes that rather than facing the usual "win or bust" ultimatum, Spain are simply a "beautifully structured" footballing machine primed for another deep run on the world's biggest stage.

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From arrogance to healthy optimism

The toxic weight of expectation that used to paralyse Spanish squads has evaporated, replaced by a much healthier relationship between the fans and the team. "I don't think it's that extreme anymore," Hunter says of the 'win or bust' pressure.

"The fans learned their lesson from how spoiled they were getting with all the success from 2008 to 2012. There was almost this level of confidence that we were untouchable. But things came crashing down very hard after 2012, and it was very painful."

That scepticism peaked right before their recent European triumph, providing the perfect fuel. "Going into the Euros, fans were super critical of Luis de la Fuente. There was almost no hope. But I actually think that helped because the players went in with a chip on their shoulder to prove everyone wrong. They were consistently the best team. Now, fans feel confident and they trust the team again, but it isn't a case of 'you have to do it or you're failures'."

[Spain national soccer team]

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After winning Euro 2024, Spain are threatening a new era of dominance

Sweating on electric wingers

If Spain are to reach the summit this summer, they need their most explosive assets fully firing. But the camp is currently managing a tense double-fitness anxiety over generational talents Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams.

In April, Yamal was sidelined with a hamstring injury and while the 18-year-old is expected to feature at the World Cup, there's no telling what his overall fitness and sharpness will be like come opening matchday.

"They are two of the most special, unique wingers in world football at the moment and they give Spain an edge they wouldn't have without them," Hunter explains. "Lamine Yamal provides so much unpredictability; he's a destabilising force. We've even seen him starting to evolve into the Messi role a little bit, coming more inside. He's capable of conjuring up a moment of brilliance when the going gets tough."

[Nico Williams of Spain and Lamine Yamal]

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Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal are recovering from hamstring injuries(Image: Getty)

Williams, who was arguably Spain's standout star at Euro 2024, picked up a hamstring injury himself in May. "Thankfully, that one doesn't seem to be as bad, and he should be back to fitness to start training," Hunter says. "Spain can win without them because of the team's structure, but they really need both at full tilt to go all the way."

Mighty midfield

Spain's midfield remains an embarrassment of riches - with Manchester City superstar Rodri, silky Barcelona trio Pedri, Gavi and Dani Olmo, Arsenal pair Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino and PSG's Fabian Ruiz all in the squad - but Hunter insists that De la Fuente's team sheet already has two names permanently inked into it.

"As long as Rodri and Pedri are fit and firing, they are non-negotiable starters," Hunter says bluntly. "Then after that, it's a question of what the manager wants to do. Gavi provides more of the bite, the aggression, and the physicality. Dani Olmo is someone who can break through the lines, score goals, and practically play as a forward."

However, Spain were dealt a major injury blow ahead of the tournament, with Barcelona's Fermin Lopez - who notched 30 goal contributions this season - ruled out with a broken foot. "Fermin Lopez is a big loss. He's somebody who probably could have been a breakout player for Spain, but he underwent surgery and won't make it in time," Hunter says.

[Spain squad]

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Spain's midfield is packed with talent and big names(Image: Getty Images)

"Luckily, Spanish players are so versatile. Even with Martin Zubimendi acting as a direct, like-for-like backup for Rodri, Spain is completely spoiled for choice."

The striker problem

For all of Spain's midfield luxury, their historic Achilles heel remains blindingly obvious. The country simply does not produce lethal, old-school centre forwards, leaving a lingering void that hasn't truly been filled for over a decade.

"Our biggest weakness is so obvious for me - we haven't had a proper, lethal 'fox in the box' striker who can put balls away first touch since the days of David Villa and Fernando Torres," Hunter laments. "No disrespect to Alvaro Morata but Spain just doesn't produce that kind of player. It's all about midfielders."

Real Sociedad's Mikel Oyarzabal - who scored the winner against England in Euro 2024 final - is expected to lead the line, but won't strike fear into his opponents the way his midfield team-mates might.

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Footballing philosophers

Spain's uncanny ability to export world class managers to the Premier League - such as Pep Guardiola, Mikel Arteta, Unai Emery, Xabi Alonso and Andoni Iraola - is rooted in a deep cultural obsession with the whiteboard, an obsession that is fostered at an early age.

"In Spain, football is a language," Hunter explains. "From a very young age, players learn about tactics. Everybody fancies themselves a football philosopher in Spain, really. There's so much romance about it. When Spanish managers go to the Premier League, they bring that tactical obsession with them. Players like Guardiola and Xabi Alonso were already managers on the pitch when they played."

She added: "They focus on the collective, on being collaborative, on the whole being more important than the individual. They're very humble, they're hardworking people. And I think that is reflected in their management style - and the players' playing style too."

[Semra Hunter ]

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Semra Hunter is part of ITV's World Cup presenting team(Image: Getty Images)

Road to the final

Spain's group stage draw pairs them with Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and a dangerous Uruguay side. While Hunter expects a dominant opening phase, she warns against looking past South American opposition.

"They should get through relatively comfortably. Cape Verde are debutants and Saudi Arabia are organised, but Spain should get past them," Hunter predicts. "Uruguay will be the biggest test. They are intense, aggressive, streetwise, and technically more talented than people give them credit for. If they want to rough up Spain, they certainly can."

Despite the tactical hurdles, Hunter is flying the flag of optimism for the remainder of the summer. "I see them getting seven to nine points, topping the group and advancing. Quite honestly, I think they will make it all the way to the final."

When pushed, Hunter went a step further. "I think it's going to be Spain to win it."

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