France vs. Spain in the World Cup semifinals. That’s the matchup, and it’s a good one. But while everyone’s focused on Kylian Mbappé and company, Spain’s roster is quietly loaded with depth, versatility, and a few storylines that could decide who plays for the trophy.
Let’s start in goal, where Unai Simón is still the guy despite David Raya pushing hard at Arsenal. Simón saved two penalties in the 2023 Nations League final shootout against Croatia and played through a wrist ligament rupture to win Euro 2024. Luis de la Fuente trusts him completely. Raya, meanwhile, took a wild path here — from futsal in Barcelona to Blackburn, Brentford, and now Arsenal, where he’s one of the world’s best with his feet. And then there’s Joan García, who paid Barcelona €25 million of their own money to leave Espanyol and become their future No. 1. He got his first cap in March at Espanyol’s stadium, where some fans booed him for crossing town. That’s three legitimate options at one position.
The defense has a familiar face anchoring it: Aymeric Laporte, the French-born center-back who switched to Spain in 2021 and hasn’t looked back. He won Euro 2024 alongside Robin Le Normand, another naturalized Frenchman, and now Laporte is back at Athletic Club after a Saudi stint. But there’s young blood pushing him. Pau Cubarsí is 19 and already Barcelona’s defensive leader after Iñigo Martínez left. He just won his second La Liga title. Dean Huijsen is another young option, and Marc Pubill — uncapped until this squad — beat out Le Normand and Huijsen for a spot after a monster season at Atlético Madrid. Pubill started every Champions League knockout game on the way to the semis. Not bad for a guy who got relegated with Almería last year.
At fullback, Marc Cucurella has gone from a €60 million punchline at Chelsea to one of Spain’s most important players. He set up Mikel Oyarzabal’s Euro 2024 winner and has been rock-solid for Chelsea even in rough seasons. Álex Grimaldo backs him up, and Grimaldo can do things most fullbacks can’t — he’s hit double figures in goals and assists for two straight seasons at Bayer Leverkusen. Pedro Porro holds down the right side, aggressive going forward and tested by Tottenham’s relegation scrap. He’s known as a ‘street player’ for his scrap, and that’s high praise in Spain.
The midfield is absurd. Rodri is Spain’s first Ballon d’Or winner since 1960, but he’s coming off an ACL rupture in September 2024 and muscle issues have dogged his return. If he’s not 100 percent, Martín Zubimendi can step in — and he’s basically Rodri Lite, running Arsenal’s midfield since joining from Real Sociedad. Fabián Ruiz is a complete midfielder who won the Champions League with PSG in 2025 and the Euros in 2024. Pedri has moved deeper under Hansi Flick at Barcelona and loves it there. Gavi is the heartbeat of every team he plays for, even after two serious knee injuries. Mikel Merino missed months with a foot fracture but still made the squad because De la Fuente values his attacking runs — remember his extra-time winner against Germany at Euro 2024? And Álex Baena? He registered 14 assists in 2023-24 and came through because his family convinced him not to quit Villarreal when he was homesick.
Up front, Lamine Yamal is the star. He finished second in Ballon d’Or voting at 17, broke every age record for Spain, and is the talisman Barcelona and Spain build around. But he’s been banged up this season, missing the final weeks with injury. Nico Williams, one of the heroes of Euro 2024, has dealt with a groin issue that kept him out of March friendlies. The dynamic duo might not be at full strength, which could open doors for others. Like Yéremy Pino, who tore his ACL at 21 and fought back to earn a £26 million move to Crystal Palace. Or Víctor Muñoz, the 22-year-old Osasuna winger who hit 35 km/h this season and scored on his first cap in March. He left Real Madrid’s academy and now they still own half his rights — awkward.
The forward line has options too. Mikel Oyarzabal went from substitute to superstar after that Euro 2024 final goal. He missed the 2022 World Cup with an ACL tear but arrives in blistering form — 11 goals in his last 10 internationals before the squad was named. Ferran Torres has been reliable under De la Fuente and can play anywhere across the front. And Borja Iglesias, at 32, gives them a true target man who can hold the ball and bring others into play. He didn’t break through until he was 25, then scored 17 La Liga goals for Espanyol and earned a €28 million move to Betis. He’s called ‘El Panda’ and he’s not expected to start, but he’s a good Plan B.
The question for Spain is whether the fitness issues for Rodri, Yamal, and Williams will derail the machine. If they’re healthy, this team has more depth than the 2024 version that won the Euros. If not, De la Fuente has a lot of talented alternatives. But he also has some big decisions to make — like whether to start 19-year-old Cubarsí next to Laporte or bet on two kids at center-back. And whether Pedri or Fabián Ruiz gets the nod in midfield.
Spain’s semifinal against France is Friday in New York. The winner plays Portugal or Brazil in the final. No pressure.
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