First Touch ’26 - Spain

Spain has only lifted the World Cup once, but La Roja seem omnipresent in every tournament conversation—and 2026 will be no different. In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass traces the arc from Spain’s 19th-century football origins and Civil War-era politics, through decades of underachievement, to the tiki-taka golden age that produced Euro 2008, World Cup 2010, and Euro 2012 in one breathtaking four-year span. We break down what made that generation special, why things dipped from 2014 to 2022, and how a new wave has restored Spain’s status with a Euro 2024 title under Luis de la Fuente. At the center of it all is 18-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal—a Rocafonda kid turned Ballon d’Or contender—who has already become the creative heartbeat for both Barcelona and Spain. With an embarrassment of midfield and attacking talent, a refreshed tactical identity, and a habit of peaking in tournament play, Spain head to North America looking for their second star.