Spain vs Peru in Puebla: FIFA World Cup warm-up at altitude before Cabo Verde opener
Synopsis
Spain's World Cup warm-up against Peru in Puebla is no ordinary friendly — it's a high-altitude dress rehearsal at 2,100 metres with De la Fuente's near-first-choice XI, a goalkeeping dilemma unresolved, and Yamal and Nico Williams still racing the clock. The coach says he already knows his starting XI for Cabo Verde. Monday will show if the pieces are truly in place.
Key Takeaways
Spain face Peru in Puebla, Mexico on Monday, 9 June — their final FIFA World Cup warm-up.
Puebla is situated approximately 2,100 metres above sea level, posing an acclimatisation challenge.
Mikel Oyarzabal , Pedri , Rodri , Pau Cubarsi , Marcos Llorente , and Marc Cucurella are expected to return after being rested against Iraq.
Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams will not play against Peru but are reportedly on track for the 15 June opener against Cabo Verde .
Joan Garcia's error against Iraq has put the goalkeeper spot under scrutiny, with Unai Simon the frontrunner for the No.
Coach Luis de la Fuente says he has already finalised the starting XI for Spain's World Cup opener.
Spain face Peru in Puebla, Mexico on Monday, 9 June in their final FIFA World Cup warm-up fixture, with coach Luis de la Fuente expected to field a near-first-choice line-up ahead of the tournament opener against Cabo Verde on 15 June. The match carries an added physical test: Puebla sits approximately 2,100 metres above sea level, giving Spain minimal time to adapt to the thin air.
Squad Movement and Base Camp
The Spanish squad departed for Puebla on Sunday after arriving at their World Cup base in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on Friday. The tight turnaround means acclimatisation to the high altitude will be limited — a factor De la Fuente's coaching staff will be monitoring closely ahead of the tournament.
Key Players Back in the Frame
Several first-team regulars who were rested during Thursday's 1-1 draw against Iraq are expected to return to the starting XI against Peru. Those names include Mikel Oyarzabal, Pedri, Rodri, Pau Cubarsi, Marcos Llorente, and Marc Cucurella. Champions League finalists Martin Zubimendi, David Raya, and Fabian Ruiz are also likely to feature, while Mikel Merino continues his recovery from an ankle injury that has kept him out since February.
Yamal and Nico Williams Race Against Time
Attacking pair Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams — arguably Spain's most dangerous weapons — are both nursing injuries and will not feature against Peru. However, De la Fuente remains optimistic, with both players reportedly on course to rejoin full training next week and available for the World Cup opener. Their fitness is arguably the single biggest variable in Spain's tournament prospects.
Goalkeeper Spot Under the Microscope
Joan Garcia had a difficult outing against Iraq, making an error that directly led to the opposition's equaliser. Unai Simon is now considered the frontrunner to reclaim the No. 1 jersey, with Raya also in contention for minutes against Peru as Spain finalise their goalkeeping hierarchy. The position remains one of the few unsettled questions in an otherwise settled squad.
De la Fuente's Starting XI Already Decided
Following the Iraq draw, De la Fuente confirmed he already knows the starting XI for Spain's opening World Cup match against Cabo Verde — a statement of intent that frames Monday's Peru fixture as a final dress rehearsal rather than a selection trial. Spain enter the tournament as one of the favourites, having won UEFA Euro 2024, and will be expected to progress comfortably from their group.
Point of View
100 metres with barely 48 hours to adjust, which is exactly the kind of physical stressor that exposes fitness margins. The Yamal-Williams situation is the real story beneath the squad harmony narrative — if either is not fully fit by 15 June, Spain's attacking depth, while impressive, changes character entirely. The goalkeeping question is a symptom of a broader issue: Garcia's error against Iraq suggests the back-up hierarchy is not settled, and at a World Cup, that uncertainty tends to compound under pressure.
NationPress
24 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is Spain's warm-up match against Peru?
Spain face Peru on Monday, 9 June in Puebla, Mexico. The city sits around 2,100 metres above sea level, presenting a high-altitude challenge with limited acclimatisation time for the squad.
Who is expected to play for Spain against Peru?
Coach Luis de la Fuente is expected to start several rested players including Mikel Oyarzabal, Pedri, Rodri, Pau Cubarsi, Marcos Llorente, and Marc Cucurella. Martin Zubimendi, David Raya, and Fabian Ruiz are also likely to feature.
Will Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams play against Peru?
No, both Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams are recovering from injuries and will not feature against Peru. However, De la Fuente is reportedly optimistic they will rejoin full training next week and be available for Spain's World Cup opener against Cabo Verde on 15 June.
Who is likely to be Spain's first-choice goalkeeper at the World Cup?
Unai Simon is considered the frontrunner to start in goal after Joan Garcia made an error that led to Iraq's equaliser in the 1-1 draw. David Raya is also expected to get minutes against Peru as Spain settle their goalkeeping options.
When does Spain play their first FIFA World Cup match?
Spain open their FIFA World Cup campaign against Cabo Verde on 15 June. Coach De la Fuente has confirmed he already knows the starting XI for that match, with the Peru fixture serving as the final preparatory run-out.
