Spain hosts Iraq on Thursday at Estadio Municipal de Riazor for an international friendly a week ahead of the opening match of the World Cup.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente defended his decision to move on from "the club-centric mindset" after selecting no Real Madrid players in his final squad for the World Cup.

World Cup 2026 odds for Portugal, Germany, Mexico, USA, France, Canada, Spain, Brazil, England, Argentina, Netherlands, Belgium, others to win event.

Here is what you need to know before the Spanish national team sets its roots in the Scenic City for World Cup competition. Video by Brynn Meisse and Sam Kohn

Lionel Messi finally got his hands on the World Cup in 2022, but Luis de la Fuente's Spain side are now coming for Argentina's crown.

Before Cape Verde made its World Cup debut, Sandro Mendes was one of the players to have represented the national team during his international career, giving him a unique insight into the progress Cape Verdean football has made in this small country on its journey to the world's biggest football tournament.