The World Cup semifinals are here, and Spain is back on this stage for the first time since its historic run in 2010.
La Roja entered the tournament as one of the favorites, and they've lived up to every expectation. Opponents have struggled to cope with Spain's trademark style of play, and it wasn't until the quarterfinals that their defense was finally breached, conceding its first goal of the tournament.
With only four teams left standing, it's impossible to ignore the excitement surrounding Spain. On Kalshi, the World Cup Winner market has gone into overdrive following Friday's 2-1 victory over Belgium.
Will Spain Win the World Cup?
Spain remains the tournament's second favorite, trailing only France. So what gives France the edge? Their overwhelming attacking talent.
Yeah, having Mbappe, Dembele, Olise, and Barcola naturally drives the market's confidence. Elite firepower matters, but winning a World Cup takes more than a collection of great forwards — it requires a complete team. That's where Luis de la Fuente's Spain stands out.
Led by the brilliant Lamine Yamal, Spain boasts one of the deepest and most talented midfields in international soccer. While France is stacked with world-class attackers, Spain's strength lies in the center of the pitch. Pedri, Dani Olmo, Rodri, Mikel Merino, Gavi, Fabian Ruiz, and Alex Baena are all competing for three spots in De la Fuente's preferred 4-3-3 formation.
Ball control is Spain's greatest weapon. Long spells of possession, meticulously constructed attacks, and constant movement from the midfield define the way this team plays. Although Yamal is the creative centerpiece, Spain has plenty of other ways to create chances — overlapping runs from fullbacks Marc Cucurella and Pedro Porro, long-range strikes from Rodri and Ruiz, and dangerous service into the box for Mikel Oyarzabal and Merino.
Spain is one of the most complete teams left in the tournament. Defensively, Unai Simon has been outstanding, following up his World Cup shutout streak with another strong performance against Belgium, which managed to score just once.
Another hallmark of this Spanish side is its aggressive counterpress. With a young, energetic squad, De la Fuente has built a team capable of pressing high up the field, disrupting opponents almost immediately after losing possession and making it incredibly difficult for them to build out from the back.
La Roja has proven that it has everything it takes. The quality is there, the squad is united, and every player is fully committed to the ultimate goal — a World Cup. Next up is France, and as Yamal said, it feels like a final before the final.
Spain is capable of beating anyone, but they also need to stay grounded. There's no point in thinking about who they might face in the championship match when there's still a semifinal to win.
So, returning to the initial question: Will Spain win the World Cup? If they keep that mindset and stay focused on the task at hand, it's an easy yes.
