​Spain are poised to face Belgium in the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup later tonight. With kickoff just under two hours away, head coach Luis de la Fuente has revealed the XI that will take the field against the Red Devils. The lineup features three Barcelona players in the starting lineup for La Roja, but the selection has sparked surprise by omitting superstar midfielder Pedri. Pedri has long been a mainstay in the Spain midfield under de la Fuente, yet tonight the manager has opted to leave him out and pair Rodri with Fabian Ruiz in the heart of the park.
In the creative and attacking zones, Dani Olmo continues in his role as the attacking midfielder, maintaining his influential presence for Spain. On the right wing, Lamine Yamal retains his usual position, continuing to provide pace, skill, and threat down the flank. The third Barcelona representative in the starting XI is Pau Cubarsi, who has emerged as one of the standout center-backs of the tournament, delivering solid performances at the back for La Roja.
The substitution of Pedri dramatically reshapes Spain’s midfield balance, as the decision to bench him opens room for Fabian Ruiz to join Rodri in central midfield. This pairing aims to provide a blend of defensive solidity and ball progression, with Ruiz offering technical ability and distribution to support Spain’s attacking thrust. The absence of Pedri has drawn attention given his status as a key facilitator for Spain’s playmaking efforts in previous matches.
On the bench, Pedri is not the only notable Spain star left out of the starting lineup. Four other Barcelona players are also listed as substitutes, including Ferran Torres, Gavi, Eric Garcia, and Joan Garcia. Notably, Eric Garcia and Joan Garcia are still awaiting their first tournament appearances, as they have not yet stepped onto the field in this World Cup edition. The depth in Barcelona’s ranks remains evident, reflecting the club’s significant contribution to Spain’s squad.
The tactical setup is expected to reflect de la Fuente’s preferred approach, focusing on possession, patient build-up, and high pressing when out of possession. With Pedri’s absence, the plan may rely more on direct passing lanes from midfield and quicker rotations to exploit Belgium’s defensive lines. Dani Olmo will likely be the central creative outlet, linking midfield to attack and providing through balls when opportunities arise for the forwards and the wingers.
Lamine Yamal, often deployed on the right wing, will be tasked with stretching the Belgian defense and delivering crosses or cutting inside to shoot or set up teammates. The defense, anchored by Pau Cubarsi, will need to maintain solidity against Belgium’s attacking threat and capitalize on counterattacking opportunities when they arise. The integration of Rodri and Fabian Ruiz in central midfield will be crucial to Spain’s balance, offering a mix of ball retention, spatial awareness, and willingness to drive the ball forward.
Belgium, as the opponent, will present a stern test with their own tactical acumen and attacking firepower. Spain’s strategy will be to control the tempo of the game, deny Belgium space in the middle of the park, and exploit any moments of imbalance in transitions. The dynamic between Olmo, Yamal, and the supporting cast will be instrumental in unlocking Belgium’s defense, while the backline, including Cubarsi, must remain disciplined to withstand Belgium’s forward line.
As the match unfolds, fans will be keen to see how the decision to bench Pedri impacts Spain’s creativity and control. The World Cup quarter-final stage brings heightened pressure, scrutiny, and expectation, with Spain aiming to advance to the semi-finals and continue their bid for glory in the tournament. The kickoff is imminent, and Spain will be hoping to produce a performance that justifies the faith shown in the selected starting XI and the strategic adjustments made by the coach.