Spain is not coming to North America to make friends. They're coming to lift the trophy — with a €12.8 billion squad, Euros momentum, and a group draw that feels like a formality. One thing could still blow it up: penalties.

Fresh off their 2024 Euros title, La Roja stroll into the 2026 World Cup undefeated in qualifying, with an absurd squad worth €12.8 billion ($14.1 billion USD), and a group draw that feels less like a challenge and more like a formality.

Spain national team in action during World Cup preparation

The Squad: Loaded Everywhere You Look

Manager Luis de la Fuente has his 26-man roster locked. Barcelona wonderkid Fermín is out injured, and Real Madrid's Huijsen didn't make the cut — but Spain barely flinched.

Goalkeeper: Unai Simón (the undisputed No. 1)
Defense: Cubarsí, Laporte, Grimaldo, Porro — two-way builders from the back
Midfield: Rodri as the single pivot — the Ballon d'Or winner
Creators: Pedri and Gavi bring legs and ideas
Wide threats: Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams — both under 23, both terrifying one-on-one

De la Fuente switches between 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1, but the philosophy stays the same: control the ball, suffocate the opponent, strike when they crack.

Spain hasn't lost a competitive match in over two years. That's not an accident.

Spain's young stars training ahead of the tournament

The Edge: Midfield Dominance and Infinite Stamina

No team on the planet can match Spain's midfield on paper. Rodri is the best defensive midfielder alive. Pedri is 22 going on veteran genius. Gavi runs like he's personally offended by the concept of tiredness.

This isn't tiki-taka nostalgia — it's modern positional play with actual bite. They dominate possession and counter-press like maniacs.

The Problem: Penalties. It's Always Penalties.

Possession-dominant teams eventually face a parked bus, extra time, and the spot. Spain have a documented penalty problem: Euro 2020 — out on penalties. World Cup 2022 — out on penalties.

The group stage won't test this. But the Round of 16? The quarterfinals? That's where the ghosts come back.

Spanish players celebrating a goal in qualifying

The Path Forward

Date	Opponent	What to Expect
June 16	Cape Verde	A warm-up — Spain's depth should handle this.
June 22	Saudi Arabia	Tough defense, but Spain breaks low blocks better than almost anyone.
June 27	Uruguay	The group decider — both may already be through.

Realistically, Spain take 7 or 9 points, win the group, and get a favorable Round of 16 matchup.

The verdict: Semifinals at minimum. If they avoid penalties — or finally win one — there's no reason they can't win the whole thing. That "if" is doing a lot of heavy lifting.

Talent doesn't score penalties. Nerve does.

Key Takeaways

The Squad: Loaded Everywhere You Look

The Edge: Midfield Dominance and Infinite Stamina

The Problem: Penalties. It's Always Penalties.

The Path Forward

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is Spain's 2026 World Cup squad worth?

Who are Spain's key players at World Cup 2026?

What is Spain's World Cup 2026 group?

Why do people say Spain have a penalty problem?

Can Spain win the 2026 World Cup?

spain penalty problem

Spain Roll Into the World Cup With a $1.4 Billion Squad — And One Glaring Flaw