Among the teams that have yet to make their debut in the qualifiers is European champion Spain, drawn in Group E alongside Turkey, Georgia, and Bulgaria. La Roja was busy in June with the Nations League Final Four: Lamine Yamal and his teammates failed to defend the title they won two years earlier, losing the final to Portugal on penalties after a thrilling 2-2 draw.
That disappointment should now be behind Luis De La Fuente’s side, currently the favorites to win the tournament, which will take place next summer in North America. For Spain, however, it will be important to start strongly in a group that hides some pitfalls. The first three points will most likely come in the away game in Sofia, Bulgaria, against the least competitive team in the group. Away from home, La Roja is practically unbeatable: just think that their last defeat outside their own borders dates back to March 2023, more than two years ago. As for the Bulgarians, we are talking about a national team that for at least three decades has been unable to produce talents capable of bringing this team back to the final stages of a major international competition: the last World Cup Bulgaria took part in, for example, was France 1998. Ilian Iliev’s men suffered a 4-0 defeat in a friendly against Greece in June, while a few months earlier they were knocked out of the Nations League playoffs by Ireland, failing to achieve their goal of promotion from League C to League B.
De La Fuente has called up Rodri and Carvajal, who have been absent for some time due to injury. In attack, he is relying on Oyarzabal, who is favored over Ferran Torres, with Yamal and Nico Williams on either side of him.
Odds comparison
The “Over 2.5” bet is quoted at 1.50 on Goldbet, Lottomatica, and Snai. The “No Goals” bet is quoted at 1.33 on Goldbet, Lottomatica, and Snai.
- GOLDBET – Up to €3050 sports and casino with 200% on your first sports deposit up to €1000 MORE INFO
- SNAI – €15 free + 50% on your first deposit up to €30 MORE INFO
- LOTTOMATICA – Up to €3050 for sports and casino with 200% on your first sports deposit up to €1000 MORE INFO
The prediction
Spain will not fail in their World Cup qualifying debut: we predict a comfortable victory against a modest Bulgaria. At least three goals in total.
Probable lineups for Bulgaria vs. Spain
BULGARIA (5-4-1): Mitov; Minkov, Dimitrov, Petkov, Nedyalkov, Nurnberger; Despodov, Shopov, Gruev, Milanov; Kolev.
SPAIN (4-3-3): Unai Simon; Pedro Porro, Le Normand, Huijsen, Cucurella; Pedri, Zubimendi, Dani Olmo; Yamal, Oyarzabal, Nico Williams.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 0-3