Spain is set to play their first warm-up match for the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Iraq at Deportivo La Coruna’s Riazor Stadium. This friendly will be Spain’s sole match on home turf before heading to Mexico to take on Peru in their second preparatory game on June 9. Coach Luis de la Fuente will use this opportunity to give playing time to most of his squad members.
Despite some players like Nico Williams, Lamine Yamal, and Victor Munoz recovering from muscle issues, and others joining late due to the Champions League final, Spain’s lineup may not reveal much about the starting XI for their World Cup opener against Cape Verde on June 15. Concerns have been raised about the Riazor pitch condition after fans stormed the field to celebrate Deportivo’s promotion, but De la Fuente expressed optimism that the pitch will be in good shape for the match.
De la Fuente remains confident about the fitness of Williams and Yamal for the World Cup opener and hinted at providing game time to Mikel Merino, who has been sidelined since sustaining an ankle injury in February. However, the coach was tight-lipped about his choice of goalkeeper among Unai Simon, David Raya, and Joan Garcia, stating that he has already made his decision. While he claimed to know the starting 11 for the Cape Verde game, he emphasized the unpredictability of football and the need to wait before finalizing the lineup.
