Spain's national football team is not letting the label of favourites for the 2026 World Cup distract them. Martin Zubimendi, a midfielder for Spain, emphasised that their focus remains on securing qualification.
The European champions have been impressive in their qualifiers, winning all four matches and scoring 15 goals without conceding any.
Under Luis de la Fuente, Spain has matched their longest unbeaten streak in competitive matches. They have gone 29 games without a loss, winning 24 and drawing five. This equals the record set between 2010 and 2013 under Vicente del Bosque. Despite this achievement, Zubimendi remains focused on upcoming matches against Georgia and Turkey.
Mikel Merino has been a standout performer in the qualifiers, leading as Spain's top scorer with six goals. Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedri have also played crucial roles for La Roja. Zubimendi attributes their success to the strong bonds formed among players over recent years.
29 - Excluding friendlies, Spain have not lost any of their last 29 matches in all competitions (W24 D5), equalling their best ever unbeaten run, which was previously achieved between 2010 and 2013 under Vicente del Bosque (G29 W24 D5). Dream. pic.twitter.com/PGLexLfTyF OptaJose (@OptaJose) November 12, 2025
Zubimendi highlighted the team's unity as a key factor in their performance. "One of our strengths is our tight-knit unit," he said. "We've had a very similar core group for two or three years now, and that helps our football flow and play more freely. That makes us stronger than others. "
The midfielder stressed the importance of qualifying first before thinking about the World Cup itself. "It's the trophy that proves you're the best in the world," he stated. "First, we have to qualify. And then, when it really matters, we have to be on point. "
As Spain prepares for their final qualifying matches against Georgia and Turkey, Zubimendi remains cautious about looking too far ahead. He noted that even with perfect performances, they still rely on other results to secure their place in the World Cup.
The Spanish team continues to build on its strong foundation of player relationships and tactical prowess as they aim to secure qualification for next year's finals. Their focus remains clear: achieving success through teamwork and determination while navigating the challenges ahead.
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