Spain arrive in North America as reigning European champions and joint favourites alongside France, even if the route to a clean tournament is not simple. Their last 90-minute loss across all competitions was the 2-0 defeat to Scotland in 2023, and the squad still carries the feel of a side that controls games better than most. The catch is obvious: the tournament may hinge on whether Lamine Yamal is ready enough to play through it.
Why Yamal is still the central question
Gabby Agbonlahor summed up the appeal and the worry neatly on talkSPORT: "It will be his first World Cup. His only tournament with Spain was Euro 2024 and he was fantastic, providing four assists and one goal. It was the most assists from a single player in one tournament in Spain's history. A fantastic player, and what a fantastic season, he had a few injuries but he will be wanting to light up this World Cup."
That is the tension around Spain. Yamal's numbers are good enough to make him the obvious attacking reference point, with 16 goals and 11 assists this season, and his recent club data is still strong enough to support the optimism. He has posted 8.2 in his last five club matches, with other ratings of 8.9, 10, 8.7 and 6.9 in that same stretch. He also produced three goal contributions in the 4-1 La Liga win on 2026-04-11.
The fitness question matters because this is not a squad built on one star carrying everything. It is still a very deep Spain side, but Yamal is the player who changes the ceiling.
Why this Spain squad looks different
There is also a historical quirk to this squad. For the first time there will be no Real Madrid players in a Spanish squad at the World Cup. That does not make the group weaker, but it does make it unusual, and it tells you how much the balance of power in this national team has shifted.
Spain are in Group H with Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay, so the opening phase should be manageable if they play to type. The cleaner path only really exists from top spot, though, because the draw gets harder if they finish second and third place would leave them in danger early. If Spain can keep their rhythm and get Yamal through the tournament without a setback, they have the control and depth to justify the favourite tag.
The more awkward part is the word "if". Spain look strong enough on paper to go deep, but the state of Yamal's fitness is the detail that could decide how far they actually go.
FAQ
Will Lamine Yamal be fit enough to start Spain's first World Cup game?
The available reporting does not make that certain. The question is still open, with sources saying he is trying to be fit and may need minutes managed. Spain's case is strong regardless, but Yamal's availability is the main variable.
Why are Spain joint favourites for the World Cup?
Spain arrive in North America as reigning European champions and joint favourites alongside France. They have not lost a match in 90 minutes across all competitions since the 2-0 defeat to Scotland in 2023, which underlines how hard they are to beat.
Why is Spain's World Cup squad unusual this year?
For the first time there will be no Real Madrid players in a Spanish squad at the World Cup. That makes this group historically unusual, even before you get to the fitness questions around Lamine Yamal.
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