The Spanish football team begins its participation in the 2026 World Cup this Monday against Cape Verde, in a match that will be played at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta and represents the national team's first step in the group stage.
Spain faces its debut as the favorite and with the obligation to secure a victory that will allow it to get its path in the tournament underway.
A trusted lineup for the debut
The coach, Luis de la Fuente, has opted for a very recognizable team, with few surprises and several of his usual starters on the field.
Unai Simón; Llorente, Cubarsí, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Pedri, Fabián; Ferran Torres, Gavi and Oyarzabal.
Among the main novelties is the presence of Gavi, who enters the starting lineup in the first match of the championship.
Key absences in attack
For this debut, De la Fuente has decided not to risk two of his most decisive players: Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, who are not in the starting eleven despite having recovered favorably from their discomforts.
Both players will be options from the bench, with the expectation that they may get minutes if the course of the match allows.
Spain faces the match with the need not only to win, but also to offer a solid performance in its World Cup debut, against a theoretically inferior opponent like Cape Verde.
The coaching staff's objective is to start the tournament with positive feelings and to secure qualification as soon as possible in a group where Uruguay is also present as the main rival for the leadership.
Cape Verde, no changes to its plan
The African team, managed by Pedro Brito 'Bubista', maintains its usual structure, with Vozinha in goal and a defensive block formed by Steven Moreira, Logan Costa, Roberto Lopes, and Stopira.
In attack, a system with Yannick Semedo and Dailon Livramento as the main offensive references is expected.
The match will be played at 6:00 PM (Spanish peninsular time) and will be officiated by the Jordanian referee Adham Makhadmeh.
Spain thus begins its World Cup journey with a highly trusted lineup and with the objective of starting the competition with a resounding victory that reinforces its aspirations in the tournament.