What is Spain’s route to the World Cup final? Discover who their potential opponents are whether they top their group or finish as runners-up instead.
Champions of the Euros in 2024, Spain are heading into the summer as one of the heavy favourites to become the 2026 World Cup winner. But, as the tournament is almost upon us, let’s take a look at what Spain’s route to the World Cup final could be.
Spain will be hungry to win their second international tournament in a row, fuelled by the goal of repeating the success they had in the early 2010s when they won the World Cup and Euros back-to-back. In this blog, we discuss Spain’s possible World Cup routes and the expected dates for each of their potential matches. We’ve also covered different paths should they qualify top of their group or end as runners-up instead.
Who do Spain play in the group phase?
With Spain coming off the back of their Euros success, they should progress from their World Cup group with relative ease. Initially, they’re in Group H against Cabo Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay, and – though they may face challenges – they’re favourites to top the group.
Out of all the members in Group H, Uruguay are predicted to be Spain’s biggest challenger for top spot. However, as they rank 17th in the FIFA rankings and are 15 places behind the Euro champions, they’re not likely to finish first ahead of La Roja.
Spain’s route to the final should they win their group
But what if Spain manage to progress past the group stage? If they were to finish first in Group H, what would their route to the World Cup final look like then?
Round of 32
July 3rd vs Austria
If Spain are able to win Group H and finish first, they’ll be playing against the runners-up of Group J – which will most likely be Austria according to the latest odds.
If Austria do indeed become Spain’s round of 32 opponents, the 21 places between the sides in the FIFA rankings suggest that they should comfortably progress.
Round of 16
July 6th vs Croatia
If Spain can better their opponents in the round of 32, then the round of 16 is likely to put them up against either the runner-up of Group L or the runner-up of Group K. Though it’s expected that Croatia will make it to this stage, should they fail to do so, Spain would play Colombia instead.
Quarter-final
July 10th vs Belgium
Now here is where things start to get much more challenging as Spain’s next opponents look like they’ll be Belgium.
The round of 16 will likely have Belgium playing the winners of Group D, who they’re expected to progress past. Currently this looks like it will be the USA, who, despite being co-hosts at the tournament, aren’t expected to have what it takes to reach this stage.
Semi-final
July 14th vs France
The semi-finals look like they will then put La Roja up against the 2018 winners and 2022 runners-up France. There has only been one meeting between the two sides at a previous World Cup, which came in 2006. Spain unfortunately were bettered on this occasion, with Franck Ribery, Patrick Vieira, and Zinedine Zidane all contributing to a 3-1 win for Les Bleus. If Spain do end up meeting France again, they’ll be hoping to avenge their defeat from all those years ago.
If France are unable to reach this stage, the Netherlands could set up a repeat fixture of the 2010 World Cup final in which La Roja became victorious.
World Cup final
July 19th vs England
Now onto the biggest event of the entire tournament – the final. Spain have run it back to 2010 and are set to win back-to-back international trophies. They’ve fought hard, and beaten all their tough opposition along the way – now who might they play?
In order for Spain to become two-time World Cup champions, they’re most likely going to have to face their Euro 2024 final opponents, England. The 2026 World Cup represents a chance for them to place their names up alongside that of the 2010 Spain team that won the World Cup and Euros back-to-back as well, but England aren’t likely to make it easy. They’ll be aiming to win their first trophy since 1966 and avenge their loss in the final two years ago, with new manager Thomas Tuchel providing a new lease of life to the team.
If England aren’t able to reach the final, Spain may come up against the reigning champions Argentina.
Spain’s route to the final should they not win their group
Because football never has any guarantees, we should also have a look at what Spain’s route to the final could be if they aren’t able to top their group.
Round of 32
July 3rd vs Argentina
If Spain can’t win Group H and finish second, then they just might end up playing Argentina, who are expected to finish first in Group J.
This would present a tough challenge given they’re the current holders of the World Cup, with Messi having the motivation of playing in his final tournament with the national team.
If Spain then end third in the group, they would play the winners of either groups I, A, L, or G, meaning it’ll likely be one of France, Mexico, England, or Belgium.
Round of 16
July 7th vs Türkiye
If they manage to defeat Argentina, then the round of 16 would have them facing off against Türkiye. However, should Türkiye lose in the round of 32, then Egypt could be their next opponents instead.
The last time that Spain played Türkiye was in World Cup qualifying, where the game ended in a 2-2 draw. They did, however, beat them 6-0 in another qualifier only two months prior, so they can hope for a similar result again if this matchup is to happen.
Quarter-final
July 11th vs Belgium
Should La Roja make it back to the business end of the tournament, they are likely to play against Belgium, who are set to beat co-hosts USA in their round of 16 game.
Historically Spain have the advantage in this fixture after beating the Red Devils 5-0 in the 2009 World Cup qualifying. With a result like that in the bag, they can have some confidence heading into this one.
Semi-final
July 15th vs England
If Spain finish second in their group, their previous predicted final is brought forward to the semi-final instead. The Three Lions would certainly be a tough semi-final opponent, especially given their history after the 2024 Euros.
However, if England fail to progress to the semi-final, then Brazil would likely be La Roja’s new opposition.
World Cup final
July 19th vs France
Then, if Spain can overcome the disappointment of finishing second in their group and still fight through to the final, they would likely play France. With France hoping to reclaim their World Cup title from Argentina, Spain will definitely have a difficult game on their hands should this fixture occur!
