Spain have disappointed in the last two World Cups after lifting the trophy in 2010.
They are in the chasing pack in World Cup odds for Qatar, but they come into the tournament after a string of positive Nations League results and a run to the semi-finals at Euro 2020.
Only a couple of players remain from the all-conquering team which was a football tips success story from 2008 through to the early part of the 2010s.
A new generation is emerging, but Spain are a team in transition, lacking the high-end peak talents of some other contending nations.
Pedri
One of the most valuable players in world football, Pedri turns 20 just days after the World Cup kicks off.
Despite his young age, Pedri is blessed with several seasons of experience for both club and country, and has already amassed 14 caps.
Hard-working, technically sublime and versatile, Pedri could operate from a central midfield role or be used behind the striker. He can do a bit of everything and has rightly earned comparisons to Andres Iniesta.
Gavi
Gavi started with Pedri in the midfield three in Spain’s penultimate Nations League match.
It is a bold call to start two teenagers in the World Cup, but there is no question the duo have the talent to deliver in football’s biggest competition.
Having succeeded Pedri as the Golden Ball winner in 2022, Gavi is already an established member of the Spanish squad with 12 caps to his name before his 19th birthday.
Álvaro Morata
Spain cannot afford to miss chances against Japan and Costa Rica. Álvaro Morata has 27 goals in 57 caps, yet there are still doubts about his reliability as a goal scorer.
Morata can flatter to deceive, and having been paired with Germany in the group stage, Spain need to be clinical.
Luis Enrique isn’t blessed with an array of options in the final third. Morata is the starter, but he has just 14 league goals in 49 appearances since the start of last season for Juventus and Atletico.
To some, he will be a dark horse for the Golden Boot. To others, Morata is one of the reasons Spain cannot go all the way in Qatar.
Ferran Torres
Speaking of goal scorers, Ferran Torres has 13 goals in 30 caps for Spain, and brings off-ball movement which can complement the intricate play of Spain’s midfielders.
Torres, though, hasn’t had the best of times since he signed for Barcelona, and has been limited to six La Liga starts in 2022-23.
Optimists can interpret that as a fresh player. Enrique will have to be wary of rust, and perhaps a lack of sharpness.
Marco Asensio
Don’t be fooled by Marco Asensio having a lone goal in 27 La Roja caps.
As already mentioned, goal scoring is a potential issue for the Spaniards, and Asensio has an eye for goal, as was exhibited in his 10 goals in 19 La Liga starts last term.
Much like Torres, Asensio brings a similar uncertainty over match fitness after being no more than a backup at Real Madrid. He has started just two matches across La Liga and the Champions League this season.
