Spain still can’t find the go-ahead goal, with the match remaining tied at 1-1

We’ve reached the 60th minute and the match remains level at 1-1

Halftime with a surprising 1-1 draw

Iraq level the match after a mistake by Joan García

Spain make the stronger start and strike first, with Ferran making it 1-0

The match kicks off at Riazor

The lineups

The countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues as the Spain National Team takes the field on Thursday for its first warm-up match against Iraq at Riazor Stadium in La Coruña. The friendly will serve as an important opportunity for Luis de la Fuente to evaluate his squad and fine-tune preparations before the start of the tournament.

While the result itself carries little significance, the Spanish coaching staff will use the match to assess several players hoping to earn a larger role heading into football’s biggest competition.

Spain Arrives With Several Key Absences

The biggest storyline ahead of the match is the number of players unavailable for Spain. Marc Cucurella, Rodri, Pedri, and Mikel Oyarzabal have been left out of the squad for the friendly, while Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, and Víctor Muñoz remain sidelined through injury.

In addition, David Raya, Martín Zubimendi, and Fabián Ruiz will not feature after joining the training camp only recently following their participation in the UEFA Champions League Final. None of them completed enough training sessions to be considered for selection.

In total, ten members of Spain’s World Cup roster will miss the team’s first preparatory match, forcing Luis de la Fuente to significantly reshape his lineup.

Opportunity for Emerging Talent

With so many absences, several young players are expected to receive valuable minutes. Marc Bernal, Javi Rodríguez, Jesús Rodríguez, Leo Román, Gonzalo García, Sergio Gómez, Jon Martin, Beñat Turrientes, and Javi Guerra have joined the squad as temporary reinforcements and could play prominent roles against Iraq.

The friendly offers a chance for these players to showcase their abilities and prove they can provide depth during the World Cup campaign.

Another Step Toward the World Cup

For Spain, this match is part of a broader preparation plan designed to ensure the team arrives at the World Cup in peak condition. The side led by Luis de la Fuente hopes to maintain the level that has established it as one of the strongest national teams in international football.

Meanwhile, Iraq will look to make the most of the opportunity to face one of Europe’s elite sides. With the World Cup rapidly approaching, both teams will seek valuable lessons before turning their full attention to the challenges that await on the global stage.