FIFA President Gianni Infantino addressed the topic of favorites ahead of the 2026 World Cup, specifically mentioning the Spanish national team among the main contenders. In his opinion, the national team currently at the top of the rankings should naturally be on the list of favorites at the World Cup.
In an interview with AS, Infantino emphasized that they are well aware of Spain's strengths, stating that the team will always be the focus of attention in major competitions.
"Spain is certainly one of the favorites, along with other strong teams. We are well aware of the strengths of this team. The team that ranks first in the rankings should also be considered the favorite in the World Cup," Infantino said.
As a reminder, the 2026 World Cup will be held from June 11 to July 19 in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. This World Cup is also significant because it is being hosted by three countries for the first time in history.
According to the draw results, the Spanish national team was placed in Group H. In this group, the Spaniards will compete against Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay. On paper, the group might seem "easy," but each opponent has their own style: someone exerts physical pressure, someone relies on disciplined defense, and someone is dangerous with extensive tournament experience.
Therefore, calling Spain a "favorite" is not just praise - it's also a responsibility. Because being at the top of the rankings is one thing, and turning every game into a result under the same pressure in the World Cup is another "league." But there's one signal behind Infantino's words: Spain expects a big result - now they need to confirm this confidence on the field.
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