Spain's Euro Champion Team Struggles to Regain Form at 2026 World Cup

Spain, the reigning European champion, entered the 2026 World Cup in Mexico City as a top favorite but has struggled to display the dominant form that won them the Euro 2024 title. Despite a strong start with a 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia and finishing first in their group, their overall performance has been inconsistent and uninspiring, including a lackluster 0-0 draw against Cape Verde and a narrow 1-0 victory over Uruguay marked by a costly goalkeeper error.

The Spanish team had set high expectations after an impressive Euro 2024 campaign, where they won all seven matches with a fast, fluid style of play centered on their wing players, Anssumane Fati and Nico Williams. However, both key talents have struggled with fitness and form. Fati, carrying an injury from the end of the Barcelona season, showed flashes of brilliance but appeared limited by his physical condition, especially in the Uruguay match. Williams has yet to make a significant impact.

As a result, Spain’s chances of winning the World Cup have dropped, with betting agencies now ranking them third behind France and Argentina, assigning them just over a 20 percent chance of lifting the trophy. The team’s current form raises doubts about whether they can replicate their Euro success and claim the World Cup title this summer.

The Spanish squad remains hopeful but must overcome injuries and regain momentum to challenge the tournament favorites in the knockout stages. The coming matches will be crucial to determine if Spain can reclaim its status as a dominant force on the world stage.