Spain possible starting XI against Austria in World Cup 2026 Round of 32
Olmo has strong chances of coming on to energize Spain's play. Porro or Llorente, the team's other doubt.
Having been impossible to predict so far in the tournament, with Gavi the big surprise in the opener; Pedro Porro, Mikel Merino, Lamine Yamal and Álex Baena brought in for the second match; and Marcos Llorente (at right-back) and Merino starting against Uruguay in Guadalajara, it is difficult to know where Luis de la Fuente’s plans will lie for Thursday’s clash with Austria.
Logic, together with what has been shown on the pitch, points to a starting eleven of Unai Simón; Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsí, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella; Rodri, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Álex Baena; and Mikel Oyarzabal. However, De la Fuente has sprung a surprise in every match so far, making an already high-stakes selection even harder to predict.
The mood within the squad during the final training session, held at the Los Angeles Galaxy training facilities, was excellent. Now they must carry that positivity onto the pitch. One final detail: De la Fuente is leaving nothing to chance, and Spain have practised penalties on two consecutive days.
Related stories
Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.
Complete your personal details to comment