Barcelona Star Pau Cubarsí Declares Spain Favourites for 2026 World Cup
Spain Are the Team to Beat, Says Cubarsí
Barcelona and Spain defender Pau Cubarsí has declared his international side as the favourites to win the 2026 World Cup, backing the current generation of Spanish players to build on their triumph at Euro 2024 and go all the way in North America this summer.
Speaking during the international break — the last of the 2025–26 club season before the tournament — the 18-year-old Barcelona centre-back was clear in his assessment of Spain's standing heading into the competition.
"Of course, I think we are favourites. In the end we have just had a spectacular European Championship. I personally also played the Olympic Games and some players are in the senior team right now. We come with a good dynamic. That's why I think we're favourites. But without forgetting that there are other great teams."
The Perfect Mix of Youth and Experience
One of the most striking elements of Spain's current squad is its age profile. Cubarsí himself is one of the youngest regular starters in the European game, and La Roja have built their recent dominance on a core of players who were teenagers just a couple of years ago. But Cubarsí argues this is a strength rather than a vulnerability — and that the blend of young talent with more seasoned internationals gives Spain a decisive advantage.
"I would say it's more of a virtue, because in the end they are new life, new generations that come to give their all on the field. I think that is very important. But you also have the other side of the squad, which is a bit more veteran and knows how the games go. Experience also takes a very important step. This mixture of youth and experience is perfect."
The squad he is describing combines players like Lamine Yamal, Cubarsí himself, and Pedri — players who grew up at La Masia and burst onto the international scene in their teens — alongside experienced campaigners who know how to manage tournament football when it matters most.
The Cancelled La Finalissima: "A Dream to Face Messi"
The international break had been due to feature a major occasion: La Finalissima, a showpiece match between Spain (as European champions) and Argentina (as Copa América holders). The fixture would have brought Lionel Messi to face a Spanish side he has never played against in this format — and for Cubarsí, who has never faced the Argentine legend in a competitive match, the cancellation was a genuine disappointment.
The match was ultimately called off after the two football associations were unable to agree on a venue — a frustrating outcome that denied fans what would have been one of the most anticipated international matches in years.
"It would have been a dream to play a match like this against Argentina, against Messi. It hasn't been possible, but we really want to play. It's a little bit of a shame that it is not that match against Messi, but we came with a lot of desire. It was also the chance to win a title."
Barcelona's Season Run-In: Champions League and La Liga
With the World Cup approaching, Cubarsí's immediate focus remains on a pivotal period with FC Barcelona. The club face a Champions League quarter-final against Atlético Madrid — a tie that Cubarsí acknowledges requires a different approach to domestic cup football.
"It will be different from the Copa del Rey. It's the Champions League quarter-finals and you have to go all out, because you know that these are two games in which you have to give your best. The best teams remain."
On La Liga, where Barcelona are locked in a title race with Real Madrid, Cubarsí struck a characteristically focused note — refusing to be drawn into speculation about rivals and instead concentrating on what Barcelona can control.
"We always look at ourselves. We always have to get three points, win every game and do things well. For sure, if we do that and win all the games, we will be champions."
Spain's Road to the 2026 World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico — the first tournament to feature 48 nations rather than 32. For Spain, who arrive as reigning European champions following their commanding win at Euro 2024, the tournament represents an opportunity to claim their second world title (after the 2010 triumph in South Africa) and cement this generation's place among the greatest in Spanish football history.
The squad assembled by coach Luis de la Fuente is widely regarded as one of the deepest in Europe. The combination of Barcelona's core — Cubarsí, Yamal, Pedri, and others — with Real Madrid's contingent and experienced heads throughout the lineup gives Spain options that few other nations can match.
Cubarsí's confidence is shared by many football analysts and the betting markets, which consistently place Spain among the two or three leading contenders alongside France, England, and Brazil. Whether the youngest generation of Spanish talent can deliver what the golden generation of Iniesta, Xavi, and Villa achieved in 2010 remains to be seen — but on current form, the belief is entirely justified.
This article is based on reporting from Football Espana, published March 25, 2026, sourced from Marca. Quotes attributed to Pau Cubarsí.
