Rodri Backs Spain To Conquer World Football Again

Manchester City midfielder Rodri believes Spain are ready to reclaim their place among football’s elite and challenge seriously for the 2026 FIFA World Cup title.

Fresh from their triumph at UEFA EURO 2024, optimism is growing around Luis de la Fuente’s talented squad, with many tipping La Roja to mount a genuine challenge on the global stage.

Spain famously lifted the World Cup for the first and only time in South Africa in 2010, completing a remarkable era that also delivered successive European Championship titles in 2008 and 2012. Rodri acknowledges the legacy of that golden generation but insists the current squad are determined to create their own history.

Speaking to FIFA.com, the Ballon d’Or contender paid tribute to Spain’s legendary side while expressing confidence in the present crop of players.

“I’d be hard-pressed to say we could go further because I honestly believe they were the greatest generation of all time,” Rodri said.

“No other team have managed to win two European Championships and a World Cup.”

The midfielder stressed that comparisons with past legends are inevitable but believes the present squad have built an identity of their own.

“We try to avoid comparisons with that generation,” he added.

“We’ve won the Nations League and a European Championship, and now we face the biggest challenge of all — winning a World Cup.”

Rodri believes years of preparation and a carefully nurtured winning mentality have positioned Spain strongly ahead of the tournament.

“We’ve worked very hard to give ourselves a chance of going all the way. This group is ready to take that step,” he said.

“If we win the World Cup, we’ll earn a special place in history.”