The Spain national team has flown to the United States to gear up for the FIFA World Cup 2026 finals. Following a 1-1 draw against Iraq, the team departed from Santiago de Compostela, heading to Nashville before moving on to Baylor School in Chattanooga, their tournament base. Coach Luis de la Fuente made 11 changes during the game, testing support players as key members like Lamine Yamal and Pedri were either injured or resting.
The match against Iraq left Spain facing questions, with the team struggling against a resilient opponent. Despite the challenges, De la Fuente emphasized the importance of meeting physical objectives ahead of the World Cup kick-off. With just 11 days until their first game, Spain will also play a friendly in four days, aiming to fine-tune their preparations.
Spain’s upcoming friendly against Peru in Puebla, Mexico, on June 8 will likely see a more cohesive lineup as the team readies to face Cabo Verde. A key decision for De la Fuente will be the choice of goalkeeper, with scrutiny on Unai Simon’s performance after a shaky display in the recent match. The coach expressed confidence in finalizing the squad composition before the tournament begins.
