Spain’s World Cup preparations kicked off in earnest on Thursday as the national team faced Iraq in a friendly at Abanca Riazor in La Coruña. The match, held at 21:00 CET (19:00 UTC), marked the first of two warm-up games ahead of the team’s debut at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 15 against Cape Verde. With 10 first-team regulars absent, coach Luis de la Fuente used the opportunity to test younger players and build cohesion ahead of the global tournament.
The absence of stars like Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, Rodri, and Pedri underscored the match’s experimental nature. However, the game carried significant weight as Spain’s squad began to shape its identity for the World Cup. The team’s final pre-tournament training camp will be in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with the squad set to depart Spain shortly after this encounter.
The Players Who Missed Out
Spain’s starting XI for the Iraq game featured a mix of established veterans and emerging talents. The 10 key absences included:
- Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) – Still recovering from a hamstring injury
- Nico Williams (Wolfsburg) – Playing in the UEFA Champions League final
- Robert Sánchez (Brighton) – Injured
- Eric García (Manchester City) – Part of the Champions League final squad
- Carlos Soler (Valencia) – Injured
- Adrián (González) (Wolves) – Injured
- Joan Miró (Girona) – Injured
- Cristian Romero (Tottenham) – Injured
- Andrés Fernández (Celta Vigo) – Injured
- Álex Baena (Leeds United) – Injured
The injured list highlights the challenges facing de la Fuente, who must balance World Cup readiness with player welfare. Yamal, 19, has been a revelation for Barcelona and Spain this season, while Williams, 21, has become a key figure for both club and country. Their absence will be felt, but the coach emphasized the importance of giving younger players experience.
The Rising Stars in Action
The squad that faced Iraq included several players making their international debuts or earning their first caps in 2026. Standouts included:
- Leo Román (Getafe) – A 22-year-old forward who has impressed in La Liga
- Yeremy Pino (Villarreal) – A dynamic attacking midfielder
- Jesús Rodríguez (Real Madrid) – A 20-year-old defender with potential
- Unai Simón (Athletic Bilbao) – A reliable goalkeeper
De la Fuente, who took charge in 2023, has been gradually rotating his squad to avoid burnout. The coach’s focus on youth development has become a central theme, particularly with the 2026 World Cup being the first without the likes of Sergio Ramos and Iker Casillas.
Iraq: A World Cup Contender in Its Own Right
Iraq, ranked 57th in the FIFA World Rankings, qualified for the 2026 tournament as runners-up in the AFC Qualifiers. The team, which finished seventh in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), poses a challenge despite its lower ranking. Iraq’s style of play under coach Srecko Katanec emphasizes physicality and set-piece threat, characteristics that could test Spain’s defensive organization.
The match was the first of two warm-ups for Spain, with the second game scheduled against a yet-to-be-announced opponent in the U.S. The choice of Iraq as a first opponent reflects Spain’s strategy to face teams of varying quality to identify areas for improvement.
The World Cup Context
This friendly comes at a pivotal moment for Spain, which is aiming to win its second World Cup title. The team’s last victory came in 2010, and de la Fuente has been working to replicate the success of the 2008-2012 era. With a squad featuring the likes of Gavi, Pedri, and Ferran Torres, the coach has emphasized the need for tactical flexibility and psychological resilience.
The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, will be the first to feature 48 teams. Spain is grouped with Cape Verde, Uruguay, and Portugal in Group B, and the friendly against Iraq served as a valuable test before the tournament’s opening match.
What’s Next for Spain?
After the Iraq game, Spain will travel to Chattanooga for a
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