Sol de Mayo · Liga Profesional Argentina · Midfielder · #0 · Argentina · 37 yrs
Spain had a game to forget against Cape Verde in their 2026 FIFA World Cup opener, as Luis de la Fuente’s side struggled to break down their opponents’ stubborn defence.One of the pre-tournament f...
Despite Spain arriving as the clear favorite to claim the victory, Cape Verde managed to resist brilliantly. As a result, Lamine Yamal’s debut at the 2026 World Cup ended in a disappointing draw, following the late decisions of head coach Luis de la Fuente. Spain arrived as favorites to succeed in the 2026 World Cup debut. Nonetheless, Cape Verde reached to resist their rivals, betting on a defensive set up. While Luis de la Fuente’s team managed to hold the possesion of the ball, they did not reach to be efficient, remaining without being dangerous. With that, Lamine Yamal’s debut ends in a disappointing 0-0 draw, putting Group H on high alert. While Cape Verde were expected to impose a huge offense, they decided to reshape their gameplan, betting on a defensive setup. Spain tried to find gaps on their defense, Bubista’s team defense remain brilliant, cutting every chances. Moreover, goalkeeper Vozinha delivered an amazing game, saving multiple chances. Looking to capitalize on their rivals’ back gaps, they had solid chances to score in the counterattack. Head coach Luis de la Fuente managed to make his team dominate possession of the ball. However, they were not effective at all, with only Marc Cucurella and Pedri being the players who most often found spaces for their teammates. Nevertheless, Ferran Torres and Mikel Oyarzabal had quite disappointing performances, as they barely touched the ball and went almost unnoticed. After coming back from a long injury, Lamine Yamal did not have the chance to play as a starter, being relegated to the bench. Coming on in the 71st minute, he managed to revolutionize the game for Spain in the 2026 World Cup. However, he failed to find spaces in the defense or get key shots on target. Far from being a problem for Spain, it was Cape Verde who stood out defensively, cutting off any opposition progression. It all ends level ⚖️#FIFAWorldCup— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 15, 2026 Spain’s Luis de la Fuente made decisions very late Despite Spain coming out of the first half with scoring problems, head coach Luis de la Fuente decided not to make changes at halftime. After this decision, they remained with the same problems for much of the second half. It was not until the 71st minute that Spain introduced Lamine Yamal and Mikel Merino, who revolutionized the game, but it was already a bit too late. Likewise, Nico Williams and Dani Olmo came on with very little time remaining. If Spain had adjusted their lineup at halftime, they could have had more chances to score, as Cape Verde was leaving more spaces. However, keeping the same team for almost the entire match made them lose many opportunities to score. In addition, the lack of effectiveness from Oyarzabal and Ferran took its toll, as the lack of spaces called for Dani Olmo, but he came on to play only 9 minutes.
Despite arriving as clear favorites to claim the victory, Spain drew against Cape Verde in their debut at the 2026 World Cup. In response to the criticism, head coach Luis de la Fuente has decided to defend his team's performance, making his viewpoint clear. Spain arrived as clear favorites to shine in their 2026 World Cup debut. However, they drew against Cape Verde in a dull 0-0 result. Following this, they have faced considerable criticism, as they were unable to make their possession count in any meaningful way. Despite the noise, head coach Luis de la Fuente decided to defend his team’s performance, making his approach for the upcoming matches clear. “I’m perfectly fine with the noise and the criticism, but this team is reliable no matter what. By the way, today we surpassed 32 matches unbeaten. This is a team that, based on the numbers, is extraordinarily reliable. We’ll be better in the next match, that’s for sure. We know how difficult this type of competition is… There is nothing that generates any doubt or distraction for us… We will continue on the path that has brought us here,” Luis de la Fuente said on press conference. Despite Spain having 74% possession, they managed only seven shots on target, disappointing all of their supporters. Far from engaging in self-criticism, De la Fuente warns that they will not adjust their tactical approach, but that does not mean they will not make changes to their starting lineup. With Saudi Arabia as their next opponent, they could look for greater efficiency in front of goal. While Spain have a very complete roster, Luis de la Fuente only made changes in the 71st minute, leaving little time to react. While the late introduction of Lamine Yamal is understandable because he is coming back from injury, Dani Olmo and Nico Williams played only a few minutes, something that was heavily criticized by the supporters. Therefore, they could make adjustments to their lineup while maintaining their attacking approach. Ryan Mendes #20 of Cabo Verde controls the ball under pressure from Gavi #9 and Rodri #16 of Spain. Spain’s Luis de la Fuente explains Gavi’s role as left winger Heading into the match against Cape Verde, Spain knew they would have a great deal of possession. Despite this, head coach Luis de la Fuente decided to deploy Gavi as a left winger. After failing to produce key passes or goals, this decision has been heavily criticized by the supporters. Nevertheless, head coach has decided to explain the tactical reasons behind his decision to use the 21-year-old star on the left flank. “The idea with Gavi on the wing was also to create superiority through the middle, in order to open up channels for the players arriving from deeper positions. Then, we looked for something different with Lamine and Nico, although by then it was also a bit more out of desperation. But during the first half we also had clear crossing opportunities with Cucurella and Marcos Llorente,” explained Luis de la Fuente in the latest press conference. After the attacking struggles, Luis de la Fuente could decide to rely on the duo of Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams on the wings. However, Mikel Oyarzabal’s finishing in front of goal has to improve significantly, as he went 30 minutes without touching the ball even once. In addition, Gavi could be key in midfield alongside Pedri, especially against teams that sit very deep defensively.
Spain will face off against Cape Verde in their opening FIFA World Cup group-stage match. Here’s everything you need to know to watch the action live in the United States. Here are all of the details of where you can watch Spain vs Cape Verde on US television and via legal streaming: WHO Spain vs Cape Verde WHAT 2026 World Cup WHEN 12:00pm ET / 9:00am PT • Monday, June 15, 2026 WHERE Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling, Peacock Premium, FOX, Telemundo and Hulu + Live TV STREAM WATCH NOW Match Overview Spain arrives at the 2026 tournament as the reigning European champions and one of the top contenders to lift the trophy. Ranked second in the world, La Roja are expected to make a powerful statement in their opening match. For a team with immense depth and a history of success, anything less than a convincing victory against the group’s underdog would be seen as a significant disappointment and could complicate their path to the knockout stages. Meanwhile, Cape Verde is living a football fairy tale. As the third-smallest nation ever to qualify for the global showpiece, their presence is a testament to their remarkable progress. The Blue Sharks topped a challenging African qualification group that included giants like Cameroon, and now they step onto the biggest stage for the first time. This match is a historic moment for the island nation, representing a chance to defy the odds and produce one of the greatest upsets in the tournament’s history. Tactical Analysis & Match Context The two nations enter this Group H clash on vastly different trajectories. Spain operates as a finely tuned machine under coach Luis de la Fuente, fresh off a Euro 2024 triumph and a dominant qualifying campaign. Their system is built on technical superiority and suffocating possession. In contrast, Cape Verde‘s journey has been one of grit and tactical discipline, outperforming more experienced African sides to book their historic ticket to North America. The tactical battle will be a classic clash of styles. Spain is expected to monopolize the ball, leveraging their 70.4% average possession from qualifying to patiently probe for weaknesses. With Rodri anchoring the midfield, they will dictate the tempo and look to break down a packed defense. Cape Verde will almost certainly respond with a disciplined low block, aiming to congest space, absorb pressure, and hit Spain on the counter-attack with explosive pace. For Spain, the motivation is clear: secure a comprehensive win to build momentum and establish an early advantage in a group that also features a tough Uruguay side. For Cape Verde, this match is about national pride and the opportunity to announce their arrival on the world stage. A draw would be a monumental achievement, while a victory would be legendary, sending shockwaves through the entire tournament. Head-to-Head Record & Historic Trends This opening group stage match will be the first-ever meeting between Spain and Cape Verde at any level, making it a historic encounter for both nations. With no prior history to draw from, the context must come from their respective records against similar opposition. Spain has faced African teams six times in past tournaments, compiling a record of three wins, two draws, and one loss in regulation time. However, their most recent encounter was a painful one: a penalty shootout elimination at the hands of Morocco in the Round of 16 of the 2022 tournament after a scoreless draw. Cape Verde, as debutants, will be playing their first-ever match against a European opponent at the finals. Historical data from previous tournaments heavily favors the experienced side. Nations making their debut have won only two of their last 16 matches over the past four competitions. Furthermore, data since 1998 shows that systematically wagering against newcomers has yielded a positive return, underscoring the steep challenge Cape Verde faces. The trends strongly suggest Spain will control the game and has a high probability of securi
Full preview of Spain for the 2026 World Cup, including squad breakdown, key players, and tactical analysis of their chances. Fresh off their Euro 2024 triumph, Spain enter the 2026 tournament as a primary contender. The national team has successfully evolved from its traditional possession-heavy approach to a more incisive and balanced style of play. The emergence of teenage sensation Lamine Yamal and the stabilizing presence of Rodri in midfield have restored their elite status. The squad currently sits high in the global rankings and showcases remarkable consistency. Expectations for the North American tournament are massive. This World Cup 2026 team preview breaks down the Spain 2026 World Cup squad, examines the tactical shifts, and analyzes their group-stage outlook. Team profile CoachLuis de la FuenteCaptainRodriNicknameLa RojaFIFA ranking2ndConfederationUEFAGroupHBest World Cup resultChampions (2010)World Cup appearances17Last World Cup appearance2022 How Spain play The team utilizes a fluid 4-3-3 formation that can easily shift into a 4-2-3-1. This Spain tactical analysis reveals a significant evolution under the current staff. The system moves past the slower possession days of the late 2010s. The 2026 squad still controls the ball, but with a much faster and vertical purpose. The tactical philosophy relies on recovering possession high up the pitch. They attack the half-spaces before opponents can organize their defensive blocks. This approach allows them to maintain over 70% average possession while consistently threatening the penalty area. Defensively, the roster relies on a high pressing structure and the stabilizing presence of Rodri as a defensive pivot. The wide areas are where the team truly excels. They utilize the pace and technical ability of wingers like Yamal and Nico Williams to stretch defenses. This direct progression and ability to isolate defenders out wide will dictate their success during the tournament. Luis de la Fuente: The coach behind Spain Since taking charge of the national team in January 2023, Luis de la Fuente has transformed from a quiet internal appointment into a European champion. Entering his fourth year in the role, the Spain coach is now widely regarded as a pragmatist who modernized the squad. His background is deeply rooted in the Spanish federation. He spent nearly a decade coaching the youth tiers. This experience allowed him to mentor core players like Rodri, Pedri, and Yamal long before they reached the senior level. He enjoyed a solid playing career in La Liga during the 1980s. However, de la Fuente had never managed at the global showpiece until this 2026 cycle. His ability to prioritize squad dynamics over individual egos makes him a crucial stabilizing force. Key player: Lamine Yamal The upcoming tournament could be Lamine Yamal’s global coronation. The 18-year-old Barcelona winger has rapidly evolved from a record-breaking prospect into one of the most lethal attackers in international soccer. Lamine Yamal in a training session (Getty Images). Before turning 19, Yamal had already recorded six goals in his first 23 appearances for the senior team. Spain key players are increasingly defined by their directness, and Yamal perfectly fits this mold. The team frequently moves the ball forward quickly to isolate him against defenders. This allows him to cut inside onto his favored left foot. He enters the tournament after a 16-goal, 11-assist domestic season. His technical ability is vital for breaking down compact defensive blocks. Spain’s road to the 2026 World Cup Spain dominated Group E during their UEFA qualifying campaign. They finished at the top of the table undefeated with 16 points. The squad recorded five wins and a single draw, finishing three points ahead of second-place Turkiye. The team scored 21 goals while conceding only twice. Mikel Merino and Mikel Oyarzabal led the scoring charts with six goals each. The defining result came early with a statement 6-0 vict
Spain head coach Luis De La Fuente revealed that Lamine Yamal is in "perfect condition" for the 2026 World Cup debut against Cape Verde, though he won't play the whole game. The Spain national team will make its 2026 World Cup debut against Cape Verde on Monday, launching the tournament run for one of the top-tier title contenders. In a massive piece of good news, head coach Luis de la Fuente revealed that superstar Lamine Yamal is in “perfect condition” for the match, though he is unlikely to play the full 90 minutes. De la Fuente spoke at Sunday’s pre-match press conference, and when asked about the young star’s status, he delivered the reassuring update: “The good news is that Lamine is in perfect condition. He’s arrived at this point in the state in which we wanted him to be. He’s fine, just like Nico Williams and Victor Muñoz. They’re all available, although some won’t play the entire game.“ Back in late April, Yamal suffered a severe hamstring injury that sidelined him for Barcelona’s final six La Liga games of the season, as well as Spain’s two pre-World Cup friendlies. But after a cautious recovery process, Yamal, alongside Williams and Muñoz, participated fully in Sunday’s team training session. De la Fuente then shared more details regarding Yamal’s potential workload on Monday. “The doctors say Lamine can play tomorrow without any issues. Not to play 90 minutes, but to play some minutes, yes… The process with Williams is similar. They’ve been working together a lot of days, a lot of hours, and with the relationship they have, they’ve been happy. They could play, if we think the game demands it,” he added. The goals. ⚽ The saves. 🧤The final touches before the real thing.Tomorrow, it starts. 🇪🇸🏆#VamosEspaña | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/u3YHETACqR— Spanish Football (@SpainIsFootball) June 14, 2026 Reports from Diario Sport claim the plan is for Yamal to gradually increase his minutes as he builds up match fitness. The projected roadmap would see Yamal play 15 to 20 minutes in the opener against Cape Verde, log at least 30 minutes against Saudi Arabia in the second match, and potentially enter the starting lineup for the final group-stage clash against Uruguay. Cape Verde is the most important game of the World Cup, says De la Fuente Sitting at No. 67 in the latest FIFA world rankings, Cape Verde is the lowest-ranked team in Group H, trailing even No. 60 Saudi Arabia. Still, De la Fuente insists Spain cannot afford to buy into their own hype and must push for the victory, labeling the opener as the most critical match of their entire World Cup campaign. When asked for his thoughts on Spain’s group, the head coach emphasized the immense weight of the opening match: “It is a competition with a lot of parity, with results that nobody would have bet on. The immediate challenge is the most important one. The match against Cape Verde is the most important of the World Cup, that is how we all view it. The level of demand is at its maximum. If anyone thinks that Cape Verde will be easy, they are mistaken.“
Lamine Yamal is set to feature against Cape Verde in Spain's World Cup opener, having missed the end of Barcelona's season due to injury. The post Yamal in ‘perfect condition’ to face Cape Verde, says Spain boss De la Fuente appeared first on SoccerNews.
Spain will mount their 2026 World Cup campaign in North America without their most capped player in history, as legendary defender Sergio Ramos is no longer part of the international setup. Sergio Ramos will not be part of Spain’s squad for the 2026 World Cup campaign in North America, as the legendary defender has already retired from international duty at the beginning of 2023. Unlike his long-time compatriots Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets—who both retired after capturing the MLS Cup with Inter Miami—Ramos spent the 2025–26 club season continuing to defy father time on the pitch with Mexico’s Monterrey. Yet, despite his ongoing club availability, his absence from the Spanish national team has long been set in stone. Ramos’s omission from the 2026 tournament roster comes as no surprise to the Spanish public. The legendary center-back officially announced his retirement from international football on February 23, 2023, after 18 years since his debut. After Ramos’ departure, De la Fuente has successfully reconstructed Spain‘s defense around a new generation of center-backs. For the 2026 World Cup in North America, the manager has placed his full trust in Aymeric Laporte and Marc Pubill, Eric Garcia and Pau Cubarsí. Ver esta publicación en Instagram Una publicación compartida de Sergio Ramos (@sergioramos) Ramos’ impressive tenure with the National Team Ramos made his senior international debut under Luis Aragonés in March 2005 at just 18 years old, becoming the youngest Spanish debutant in 55 years at the time. Over an astonishing 180 senior caps—a historic record that makes him the most capped player in the history of the Spanish national team—Ramos proved to be an unprecedented weapon. His defensive ferocity was matched by an incredible aerial threat, racking up 23 international goals, a tally that places him among Spain’s top ten goalscorers of all time despite playing in the backline. Ramos was an important piece during Spain’s golden era of global dominance, starting every single game as La Roja captured UEFA Euro 2008, the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, and UEFA Euro 2012.
Spain will be without the services of iconic left-back Jordi Alba for the 2026 World Cup, following the legendary defender's decision to hang up his boots. As Spain embarks on their 2026 World Cup campaign in North America, they do so with a completely transformed look on the left side of their defense. For more than a decade, that flank was the exclusive territory of Jordi Alba, but he officially retired from professional soccer at the conclusion of the 2025 MLS season with Inter Miami. Alba closed out his illustrious career helping Inter Miami capture the MLS Cup on December 6, 2025, with a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps. Following that final match alongside longtime teammates Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets, the 36-year-old stepped away from the game. While his club retirement is fresh, Alba’s absence from the national team has actually been standard for some time. The overlapping defender had already closed his international chapter nearly three years prior to the 2026 tournament. The final time Alba wore the Spanish kit was on June 18, 2023, when he captained Spain to a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Croatia to secure the country’s first-ever UEFA Nations League title. Just over two months later, in August 2023, he officially announced his retirement from international duty to focus completely on his club career in the United States. Jordi Alba of Spain with the UEFA Nations League trophy. (Getty Images) For the 2026 World Cup roster, De la Fuente made the decision to call Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella and Bayer Leverkusen’s Álex Grimaldo to patrol the left side in North America. Jordi Alba’s legacy with the National Team Alba’s international journey began back in October 2011, making an instant splash during a Euro qualifier against Scotland by providing an assist in a 3-1 victory. From that night on, he became an immovable fixture in Spain’s starting lineups. Over his 93 senior caps, Alba proved to be one of the most lethal attacking defenders in international soccer history, registering nine goals and nine assists. While he narrowly missed out on being part of the squad that won the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, he was an absolute pillar of the side that captured UEFA Euro 2012. His 2023 Nations League triumph served as the perfect bookend to an indelible international career, leaving huge shoes to fill as Spain already entered a new era.
The 2026 World Cup presents a major challenge for Spain as they chase their second world title, and they will have to do it without veteran right-back Dani Carvajal in North America. Spain is gearing up for a high-stakes campaign in the 2026 World Cup, hunting for the second trophy in the nation’s history. However, La Roja will be missing one of its most decorated modern legends. Real Madrid icon Dani Carvajal will not be with the squad, as manager Luis de la Fuente made the executive decision to leave the veteran defender off the final roster. Instead of relying on the Carvajal, De la Fuente opted to hand the right-back responsibilities to Tottenham’s Pedro Porro and Atletico Madrid’s Marcos Llorente. The snub was definitive; Carvajal didn’t even make the cut for Spain’s preliminary 55-man provisional pool. When announcing his final 26-man tournament roster, De la Fuente addressed the high-profile absences of both Carvajal and forward Alvaro Morata (who missed out following his season with Como), making sure to emphasize that their international careers aren’t necessarily over. “Their cycle is not over,” De la Fuente stated. “Better times will come when I can count on them again. They have left an indelible legacy of gentility, personality, leadership, and captaincy with capital letters”. Daniel Carvajal after winning the 2024 UEFA Euro with Spain. (Getty Images) A frustrating final season in Madrid The World Cup omission marks a bittersweet conclusion to a grueling domestic campaign for Carvajal. It was far from the ideal farewell season the 34-year-old envisioned as he wrapped up a legendary 13-year chapter with Real Madrid—a historic run that yielded 27 major trophies and saw him tie Paco Gento’s record with six Champions League titles. Unfortunately for the veteran, his body simply didn’t cooperate during his final year at the Santiago Bernabéu. A severe muscle injury during the fall derailed his start to the season, forcing him to miss the opening stretch of the Champions League alongside some LaLiga fixtures. The nightmare deepened just after his initial return to full fitness. Carvajal managed to feature in just a single El Clásico against Barcelona before a knee injury sidelined him yet again. That knee setback sidelined him for an additional 12 matches across all competitions. By the time he successfully worked his way back onto the pitch, he had lost his place in Madrid’s starting XI. Restrained to just 23 total appearances over the entire club season, Carvajal’s lack of match sharpness and durability concerns made it impossible for Luis de la Fuente to justify a spot for him on the plane to the World Cup.
SPECIAL REPORT: After two comparative surprise packages at international level, Luis De La Fuente and Lionel Scaloni, won the last Euros and World Cup at the expense of more established names, Miguel Delaney finds out what national teams are really looking for and the process behind picking a manager
After two comparative surprise packages at international level, Luis De La Fuente and Lionel Scaloni, won the last Euros and World Cup at the expense of more established names, Miguel Delaney finds out what national teams are really looking for and the process behind picking a manager
WORLD CUP 2026: Though many saw Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph as a move away from the famed ‘tiki-taka’ style, Chris Wilson argues that Luis de la Fuente has simply created a more modern version – that could lead La Roja to another World Cup
Spain wrapped up their preparations for the World Cup with a win over Peru, while Luis de la Fuente's squad are all available for selection. The post De La Fuente insists all Spain players are ‘in perfect condition’ appeared first on SoccerNews.
Currently recovering from his injury, FC Barcelona have reportedly set some conditions to Spain national team for Lamine Yamal's participation in the 2026 World Cup. Lamine Yamal suffered an injury late in FC Barcelona‘s season that has disrupted his preparation ahead of the 2026 World Cup, leaving him heading into the tournament without competitive match time under his belt. With Spain‘s opening game fast approaching, the Blaugrana have reportedly outlined a series of conditions governing how Yamal is used during the competition. The injury occurred on April 22 against Celta Vigo, when Yamal sustained a hamstring tear in his left leg and has been sidelined since, though his participation in the World Cup was never considered to be in jeopardy. To keep a close eye on his recovery, the forward has been accompanied by FC Barcelona‘s external physiotherapist Fernando Galán, who has been visiting him every Monday to monitor his progress. According to Diario AS, Barcelona’s expectation is that Yamal could make his return to competitive action in Spain’s World Cup opener against Cape Verde on June 15. Assuming no setbacks, the six-week recovery window would be complete by that point, clearing him from a medical standpoint. Barcelona’s roadmap for Yamal during the World Cup Even with the medical clearance in sight, Barcelona’s position is that Yamal’s return to the pitch should be gradual. The final call will rest with Spain’s coaching staff, but the Blaugrana’s hope is that his playing time increases progressively across the group stage depending on how the team is faring in the early games. Lamine Yamal of Spain controls the ball while under pressure from Ahmed Fatouh of Egypt. The club’s preferred blueprint is for Yamal to play approximately 15 minutes against Cape Verde, around 60 minutes against Saudi Arabia, and then be in a position to complete the full 90 against Uruguay in the final group stage fixture. For now, Yamal is continuing his rehabilitation program with the medical staff and will not feature in Spain’s final pre-tournament friendly against Peru in Mexico, remaining at the team’s base camp in Tennessee to complete his recovery. With Yamal sidelined alongside Nico Williams and Víctor Muñoz, coach Luis de la Fuente expressed optimism that all three could be available for the tournament opener. “All three are within the timeframe to be able to arrive in good condition to play on the 15th; we don’t know the exact minutes, but Lamine’s injury was different from Nico’s and Victor’s. Each one has their own process and duration, but the most important thing is that within the parameters we have, they can be met for the 15th,” he told reporters after arriving in Puebla.
