Spain vs Iraq: La Roja kick off 2026 World Cup warm-ups at Riazor
Synopsis
Spain begin their 2026 World Cup countdown at a Riazor pitch still recovering from a fan invasion, with Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams nursing muscle issues and four players just off Champions League final duty. Luis de la Fuente insists he already knows his starting eleven for Cape Verde — he just isn't telling.
Key Takeaways
Spain face Iraq at Riazor Stadium on Thursday in their first 2026 FIFA World Cup warm-up.
A second friendly against Peru follows in Mexico on 9 June .
Nico Williams , Lamine Yamal , and Victor Munoz are recovering from muscle problems.
Fabian Ruiz , Mikel Merino , David Raya , and Martin Zubimendi joined camp late after the Champions League final.
Spain's World Cup opener is against Cape Verde on 15 June .
Spain open their 2026 FIFA World Cup preparations on Thursday night when they take on Iraq in a friendly at Deportivo La Coruna's Riazor Stadium. It is Luis de la Fuente's only home tune-up before La Roja jet to Mexico to face Peru on 9 June in their second warm-up.
Why this match matters
The fixture gives De la Fuente a rare window to distribute minutes across his squad before the World Cup opener against Cape Verde on 15 June. With several first-choice names either rehabbing or freshly arrived from club duty, the Riazor outing is as much a fitness audit as a tactical rehearsal.
Injury and availability concerns
Nico Williams, Lamine Yamal, and Victor Munoz are still working their way back from muscle problems, while Fabian Ruiz, Mikel Merino, David Raya, and Martin Zubimendi only linked up with the camp on Tuesday and Wednesday after featuring in the Champions League final. That patchwork availability means the starting eleven against Iraq is unlikely to mirror the one De la Fuente has in mind for Cape Verde.
The coach reiterated his confidence that Williams and Yamal will be ready for the tournament opener, and indicated Merino would likely get minutes after barely playing since a serious ankle injury in early February.
Concerns over the Riazor pitch
The state of the playing surface has emerged as a side-story after fans invaded the field on Sunday to celebrate Deportivo La Coruna's promotion to La Liga. De la Fuente, however, played down the worry in an interview on Spanish radio station Cadena Ser.
“The news we have is that they have worked hard on it, and the pitch will be in good condition, which is important. The key thing is that the pitch is in good shape for safety reasons and to be able to put on a good show,” he said.
The goalkeeper puzzle
De la Fuente was less forthcoming on his number one choice between Unai Simon, David Raya, and Joan Garcia. “I know who my goalkeeper is,” he said. “What's more, I could tell you today our starting 11 for Cape Verde, but we have to wait, sometimes football changes things for you, but I am sure about our starting 11.”
What's next for La Roja
After Riazor, Spain head to Mexico for the Peru friendly on 9 June before opening their World Cup campaign against Cape Verde six days later. The reigning European champions will be expected to use both warm-ups to settle on a midfield axis and confirm fitness for their forward trio.
Point of View
The real subplot is De la Fuente's quiet refusal to name a goalkeeper — a decision that has nagged this squad since Unai Simon's dip in form. Spain's European title masked a defensive transition that Cape Verde, and later sterner opposition, will probe. With Yamal and Williams still rebuilding, La Roja's preparation feels less like fine-tuning and more like triage.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is Spain vs Iraq being played?
Spain face Iraq on Thursday night at Deportivo La Coruna's Riazor Stadium. It is Spain's first of two friendly matches ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Who is missing from the Spain squad for the Iraq friendly?
Nico Williams, Lamine Yamal, and Victor Munoz are still recovering from muscle problems and may not feature heavily. Fabian Ruiz, Mikel Merino, David Raya, and Martin Zubimendi only joined the camp this week after the Champions League final.
When is Spain's 2026 World Cup opener?
Spain begin their World Cup campaign against Cape Verde on 15 June. Before that, they play Peru in Mexico on 9 June in their second warm-up.
Why are there concerns about the Riazor pitch?
Fans invaded the Riazor field on Sunday to celebrate Deportivo La Coruna's promotion to La Liga, raising worries about the playing surface. Coach Luis de la Fuente said groundstaff have worked hard and expects the pitch to be in good condition.
Who will be Spain's starting goalkeeper at the World Cup?
Luis de la Fuente has not publicly confirmed his choice between Unai Simon, David Raya, and Joan Garcia. He said he already knows his starting eleven for the Cape Verde opener but declined to disclose it.
