Spain 2010 vs 2026 World Cup teams compared by BBC Sport
10 reported
BBC Sport has compared the Spain team that won the 2010 World Cup with the current 2026 squad that reached the final. The 2010 side, managed by Vicente del Bosque, featured stars like Iker Casillas, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, and David Villa. The 2026 team, led by Luis de la Fuente, includes players such as Unai Simon, Rodri, and Lamine Yamal. Both teams won the European Championship two years before their respective World Cups. The 2026 squad has an older average age (27.8) than the 2010 group (26.7) but is less experienced internationally (33 caps average vs 56). Spain had not won a World Cup knockout game since 2010 before this tournament. The 2026 side is the first team to keep six clean sheets at a single World Cup.
What’s reported
The 2010 Spain team won the World Cup final against the Netherlands with an extra-time goal by Andres Iniesta.
The 2026 Spain team reached the final and will play on Sunday, 19 July.
Only three of the 2010 starting XI were not at the 2008 Euros; only two of the 2026 semi-final starters were not at Germany 2024.
The 2026 squad has an average age of 27.8 compared to 26.7 for 2010.
The 2026 squad averages 33 caps per player; the 2010 squad averaged 56.
Spain had not won a World Cup knockout game since 2010 before this tournament.
De la Fuente’s team has a 37-match unbeaten record, matching Italy’s world-best mark, though it excludes a penalty shootout loss to Portugal in the 2025 Nations League final.
The 2026 Spain side is the first team to keep six clean sheets at a single World Cup.
Goalkeeper Unai Simon set a record for most consecutive World Cup games without conceding in regulation play (six), including one game from 2022.
In 2010, David Villa scored five goals to finish as joint top scorer.
Key figures
Vicente del Bosque (2010 Spain manager)
Luis de la Fuente (2026 Spain manager)
Iker Casillas (2010 goalkeeper)
Unai Simon (2026 goalkeeper)
Sergio Ramos (2010 right-back)
Joan Capdevila (2010 left-back)
Pedro Porro (2026 right-back)
Marc Cucurella (2026 left-back)
Carles Puyol (2010 centre-back)
Gerard Pique (2010 centre-back)
Pau Cubarsi (2026 centre-back)
Aymeric Laporte (2026 centre-back)
Sergio Busquets (2010 midfielder)
Xabi Alonso (2010 midfielder)
Rodri (2026 midfielder)
Fabian Ruiz (2026 midfielder)
Xavi Hernandez (2010 midfielder)
Andres Iniesta (2010 midfielder)
Dani Olmo (2026 midfielder)
Alex Baena (2026 midfielder)
David Villa (2010 forward)
Pedro (2010 forward)
Lamine Yamal (2026 forward)
Mikel Oyarzabal (2026 forward)
Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembele (France attackers mentioned)
Diego Forlan, Wesley Sneijder, Thomas Muller (2010 joint top scorers)
Fernando Torres (2010 substitute)
Sources: BBC News
