World Cup Qualification 2026: Spain-Bulgaria, the likely lineups

After eleven goals scored and zero conceded in the first three matches of the round, Spain is aiming to accelerate further on the path to the 2026 World Cup: a success over Bulgaria would allow the Red Furies to manage with relative serenity the last two engagements, scheduled in the next international window scheduled in November.

Luis de la Fuente, Spain’s technical commissioner, will go for a vertical 4-3-3, as has been the tradition in the’last period: the offensive terminals will be Yeremy Pino, Baena and Oyarzabal, while in midfield there will be Merino, Zubimendi and Pedri. Pino and Oyarzabal, by the way, both scored in the victorious match against Georgia last Saturday.

Bulgaria, on the other hand, finished very badly in the first round of the qualifiers with zero points in three matches, and comes from the heavy 1-6 home win against Turkey. The only scorer on that occasion was striker Kirilov, who along with Petkov and Despodov will be stationed in the offensive sector of the lineup fielded by Aleksandar Dimitrov. Three also in the midfield: Chochev, Stoyanov and Kraev.

Probable lineups

SPAGNA (4-3-3): Simon; Porro, Le Normand, Cubarsi, Cucurella; Merino, Zubimendi, Pedri; Pino, Baena, Oyarzabal. C.t. De la Fuente.

BULGARIA (4-3-3): Mitov; Turitsov, Dimitrov, Bozhinov, Petrov; Chochev, Stoyanov, Kraev; Petkov, Kirilov, Despodov. C.t. Dimitrov.