Spain won Euro 2024 impressively, with 16-year-old Lamine Yamal announcing himself as generational talent. Pedri and Fabian Ruiz control midfield with composure beyond their years. By 2026, Yamal will be 18 — still a teenager but with two years of elite tournament experience. Spain's tiki-taka DNA is back: more direct and vertical than the 2010 era, but equally technically dominant.
Spain won the World Cup in 2010 and back-to-back European Championships in 2012 and 2024 (and 2008). No nation has won consecutive World Cups since Brazil (1958, 1962). Winning Euro 2024 and World Cup 2026 would be historically unprecedented in the modern era. The mental edge of a current champion should not be underestimated.
The main threat: rotation quality. While the starting 11 is world-class, Spain's bench depth is less certain. Injuries to Pedri or Yamal would be damaging. Odds: 7/1 — solid value for a reigning major tournament champion with a clear playing identity and a generational talent in Yamal.
Spain won the World Cup once, in 2010, hosted in South Africa. They beat Netherlands 1-0 in the final with Andres Iniesta's extra-time winner. They also dominated world football from 2008-2012, winning Euro 2008, World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012.
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) is Spain's brightest talent — the Euro 2024 young player of the tournament at just 16. By 2026, alongside Pedri, he will be central to Spain's style and chances.