Two years ago, Spain enjoyed their finest moment in recent times, claiming a record-breaking fourth European Championship crown in Germany.
La Roja swept past no fewer than four former World Cup winners – namely Italy, Germany, France, and England – en route to the title, finally downing the Three Lions in Berlin courtesy of Mikel Oyarzabal’s late winner.
Now, with the World Cup less than three months away, online betting sites make Luis de la Fuente’s men the favorites to add the biggest prize in the game to go alongside their continental title.
Spain Tops the World Cup Betting Charts
The latest odds from the popular Lucky Rebel Sportsbook currently list the European champions as the 9/2 frontrunners, ahead of the 11/2 England team they beat in the Olympiastadion two years ago.
And looking at the Spanish side, it’s clear to see why they are so highly rated. 18-year-old Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal is the jewel in the crown, with midfielders Pedri, Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, and Dani Olmo all providing the teenager with opportunities on the right wing.
But if there was one weakness in the Spain team, it is without question the central striker position.
Two years ago, captain Alvaro Morata was tasked with leading the line, but he hardly set the world alight, despite ultimately going on to lift the trophy.
In the time since Euro 2024, he has fallen by the wayside, with disappointing moves to AC Milan, Galatasaray, and now Como all costing him his place in de la Fuente’s squad.
And if that wasn’t bad enough, his heir apparent, FC Porto’s 21-year-old striker Samu Aghehowa, will miss the World Cup altogether with a cruciate ligament tear.
So, which strikers are in contention to lead the line for Spain’s opening game of the World Cup against Cape Verde on June 15th? Let’s take a look.
Think you’re a World Cup expert?
Get into the Discord trivia tonight at 7pm ET to take your shot.
🔗 https://t.co/6Q55rFaQgi pic.twitter.com/IVBXTgOvvO
— Lucky Rebel (@LuckyRebel__) January 1, 2026
Mikel Oyarzabal
The leading candidate to start Spain’s opener in North America is the man who won them the Euros two years ago: Mikel Oyarzabal.
The Real Sociedad man is a winger by trade, but he has been forced into a central striking role by de la Fuente, and the decision to shuffle him inside from out wide has proven to be inspired.
The 28-year-old has scored 16 goals (21 overall) in 25 appearances since transitioning into a central striker, with just 14 of those appearances being starts.
Oyarzabal was also in blistering form throughout World Cup qualifying. He started all six of Spain’s qualifiers, scoring six goals in the process, the fourth most of anybody.
In fact, his form for the national team has been so good that his club, Real Sociedad, has now also started him as a striker, rather than as a winger, and it would be a huge surprise if he didn’t start against Cape Verde in Atlanta.
Ferran Torres
Spain’s next most likely starting striker is also a winger by trade, namely Ferran Torres.
The Barcelona man has also transitioned into a central striker since moving to the Camp Nou from Manchester City four years ago.
He has enjoyed a similarly goal-laden spell since moving centrally, scoring 60 goals for the Blaugrana in 197 appearances, including 16 in 39 appearances across all competitions this term.
For Spain, Torres knows where the back of the net is. He has helped himself to 23 goals in 53 caps; however, only two of those goals came in qualifying matches, opposed to Oyarzabal’s six.
As such, Torres will almost certainly be selected in de la Fuente’s squad, but he is likely to have to settle for a spot on the bench behind the Real Sociedad captain.
Borja Iglesias
This is where things get a little murkier. Outside of the two natural wingers mentioned above, Spain’s striking class of 2026 isn’t the strongest.
Celta Vigo man Borja Iglesias is arguably La Roja’s best out-and-out striker on current form, but the 33-year-old has hardly been tested at the international level.
Iglesias has been in fine form for Vigo this term, netting 15 times in all competitions, with two of those goals coming on the club’s ongoing run to the Europa League quarter finals.
In Spain, however, it is a different story. The veteran target man has just five appearances to his name, three of them being substitute appearances in World Cup qualifying. He is still waiting for his first international goal.
Gonzalo Garcia
21-year-old Real Madrid man Gonzalo Garcia burst onto the scene at last summer’s FIFA Club World Cup, netting four goals while deputizing for the injured Kylian Mbappe as Los Blancos reached the semifinals.
This season, he has had to settle for a bit-part role behind the mercurial Mbappe, starting just five La Liga games all season.
He has, however, managed to make an impact, scoring six goals in all competitions, four of them coming in the league, including a stunning hat trick in the 5-1 win against Real Betis.
Young Garcia has never been called up to the national team, but that may well change this summer, considering their sheer lack of striking options.
He does have three goals in five appearances for the Under-21s, however, and that could be something that catches de la Fuentes’ eye when he finalizes his World Cup squad in May.
About the Author
