Spain’s national football team is gearing up for the FIFA World Cup with a pivotal phase as they head to Mexico for their last warm-up game against Peru before their tournament opener against Cabo Verde on June 15. The team, led by coach Luis de la Fuente, departed for Puebla after being at their World Cup base in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The upcoming match poses an added challenge as Puebla sits at an altitude of about 2,100 meters, giving Spain limited time to adapt to the high-altitude conditions.
De la Fuente is likely to field a lineup similar to what he plans for the World Cup opener. Key players such as Mikel Oyarzabal, Pedri, Rodri, Pau Cubarsi, Marcos Llorente, and Marc Cucurella, who were rested in the previous match against Iraq, are expected to play against Peru. Additionally, Champions League finalists Martin Zubimendi, David Raya, and Fabian Ruiz are set to gain valuable playing time, with Mikel Merino continuing his recovery from an ankle injury that has kept him out since February.
The Spanish coach remains positive about the fitness of attacking talents Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal, who are recuperating from injuries. Although they won’t participate in the Peru game, both are on track to rejoin full training next week, aligning with the World Cup opener schedule. De la Fuente has already determined the starting XI for Spain’s first match against Cabo Verde, indicating that the Peru game will serve as the final test before the tournament kicks off.
One area of focus for Spain is the goalkeeping position. Joan Garcia faced challenges in the previous match against Iraq, committing an error that led to the opponent’s goal, potentially opening the door for Unai Simon to reclaim the top spot. David Raya is also anticipated to feature as Spain puts the finishing touches on their World Cup preparations.
