The 2026 World Cup is officially underway, and Spain just dropped a lineup that nobody saw coming. No, really. Mikel Oyarzabal is starting up top. Alex Baena is in the midfield. And Lamine Yamal is getting the nod on the wing. This is not a drill.
Spain’s starting XI against Saudi Arabia on Sunday afternoon in Atlanta is a mix of the expected and the genuinely eyebrow-raising. Unai Simón gets the start in goal, which is no shock. But the backline has some interesting choices: Pedro Porro at right back, Pau Cubarsí and Aymeric Laporte in central defense, and Marc Cucurella on the left. That is a lot of attacking intent from the fullback positions.
In midfield, Rodri and Pedri are the anchors. That much is predictable. But Dani Olmo is listed as a midfielder, not a winger. And Baena is in there too. That is three creative midfielders behind a front line of Lamine Yamal, Oyarzabal, and — presumably — a rotating cast of runners. It feels like Spain is daring Saudi Arabia to sit deep and try to counter.
On the other side, Saudi Arabia’s lineup is more straightforward. Goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais starts behind a five-man back line. Saud Abdulhamid, Ali Lajami, Abdulelah Al Amri, Hassan Tambakti, and Khalid Al-Harbi form a wall. In midfield, Mohamed Al-Khaibari and Musab Al-Juwayr will try to disrupt Spain’s rhythm. And up top, Salem Al-Dawsari and Nasser Al-Dawsari — the two most dangerous attackers — are paired with Firas Al-Brikan.
The Al-Dawsari brothers are the ones to watch. Salem torched Argentina in 2022. He can do it again. But this Saudi side is not the same one that pulled off that miracle in Qatar. They have a new coach, a new system, and a lot of questions about whether they can hang with Spain’s possession game for 90 minutes in the Atlanta heat.
Spain fans showed up in force. The stadium is loud. The energy is real. And honestly, this is the kind of group-stage match that could define a tournament for both teams. A win for Spain and they are cruising. A draw and suddenly things get interesting. A loss for Saudi Arabia and it is basically over before it starts.
Kickoff is moments away. Stay tuned.
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