The world football tournament is an event that has been awaited for four years. This summer of great play is being welcomed by the betting brand GGBET with everything a true fan loves: an extensive betting line, some of the best odds, and a festive atmosphere! Tune in to the matches, catch the emotions, and cheer along with GGBET!
Spain: Heirs to the "Golden Era"
The Spanish national team is rightly considered one of the main favorites of this tournament. The situation is somewhat similar to the Spanish golden era of 2008–2012, when they won three tournaments in a row (Euro 2008, World Cup 2010, and Euro 2012). Now, Luis de la Fuente's team is heading to the World Cup as the reigning European champion. Undoubtedly, this creates additional pressure to some extent.
But what can be certain is the goal-scoring prowess of the Spaniards. Just look at their attacking lineup: Ferran Torres, Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, and Mikel Oyarzabal. Add to that the prolific midfielders Dani Olmo and Mikel Merino.
The group opponents are Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde, who are significantly inferior to the Spaniards in class. Plus Uruguay, against whom Spain has not lost in 10 head-to-head meetings.
Spain qualified for the 2026 World Cup with only one point loss: in a group with Turkey, Georgia, and Bulgaria, the "Furia Roja" only drew with the Turks in the final round. So, it seems there is no need to worry about Spain's success at the current World Cup. Well, at least until the round of 16.
A Coach Who Went from Youth Teams to Champions
Spain is coached by 64-year-old Luis de la Fuente. Over the last 13 years, he has undergone a gradual evolution within the Spanish national team system: in 2013, he took charge of the U-19 team and worked with them for five years. In 2015, this team won the European Youth Championship.
In 2018, de la Fuente received a new challenge: he took charge of the Spanish U-21 youth team, while simultaneously accepting the challenge of preparing the Olympic team for the 2020 Olympics. And qualifying for the Olympics was also made possible thanks to the team's successful performance at the European Championship: in 2019, no one could compete with the Spaniards at this level. And at the Olympics, the Furia Roja showed their class: silver medals, but most importantly, the preparation of personnel potential for the national team.
Immediately after the Spanish national team was eliminated by Morocco at the 2022 World Cup, the national association leadership did not hesitate for long: where de la Fuente replaced Luis Enrique at the helm and in a year and a half led the team to the European championship title, and a year later to the Nations League final.
Uruguay: A Dream with Wooden Medals?
Uruguay entered the history of world football as a two-time world champion. More precisely, as the winner of the first World Cup 96 years ago. But in 1950, this team repeated its success and has not played in the finals since. Moreover, Uruguay somehow constantly lost matches for the bronze medals and finished fourth three times! The years 1954, 1970, and 2010 brought Uruguayans wooden medals.
In 2010, Uruguay really conquered the football world: Diego Godín, Luis Suárez, Diego Forlán — not a team, but a dream. However, they had to fight for the bronze against the Germans, and for them, a tournament without a prize is wasted time...
Now there is room for a pun in the Uruguayan team, because if Darwin Núñez scores at least five goals, he will deserve a bonus. And for now, his career has taken some winding path: the move from "Benfica" to "Liverpool" in 2022 did not pay off, and three years later Núñez went to the Middle East, where he plays for "Al-Hilal". There, things seem to be going better than in England. And yet, a full-fledged replacement for the legendary Suárez has not yet been found...
However, the real leader of Uruguay today can be considered the midfielder of Madrid's "Real", Federico Valverde, who has long earned authority in the national team. And in "Real", Valverde demonstrates a high level of play from season to season – no wonder Toni Kroos, ending his career, proclaimed Federico as his successor.
Marcelo Bielsa: A Legend of the Coaching Profession
And another factor – Marcelo Bielsa. The 70-year-old specialist has huge experience working with various South American national teams. From 1998 to 2004, he worked with the Argentine team, and from 2007 to 2011 – with the Chilean team. At the club level, Bielsa is also invited by no non-entities: "Espanyol", "Athletic Bilbao", "Lazio", "Marseille", "Lille", and "Leeds". Bielsa took over Uruguay in 2023 and managed to win the bronze medals of Copa America 2024.
Saudi Arabia: Sensation or Coincidence?
Saudi Arabian footballers at training before the 2026 World Cup (photo: Getty Images)
The Saudi Arabian national team celebrated its loudest victory at the World Cup literally at the previous championship – 2:1 against Argentina. Who...