Spain World Cup 2018 squad and team guide

Spain World Cup 2018 squad and team guide
Andres Iniesta will feature in his fourth World Cup

Here we take a look at Spain's World Cup squad and the other things it will be handy to know about the Group B challengers.

Spain's World Cup squad - the 23 names

23-man final squad: David de Gea, Pepe Reina, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Jordi Alba, Nacho Monreal, Alvaro Odriozola, Nacho Fernandez, Dani Carvajal, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos, Cesar Azpilicueta, Sergio Busquets, Isco, Thiago Alcantara, David Silva, Andres Iniesta, Saul Niguez, Koke, Marco Asensio, Iago Aspas, Diego Costa, Rodrigo Moreno, Lucas Vazquez.

Spain's World Cup 2018 fixtures

  • Portugal: Friday, June 15 at 7pm
  • Iran: Wednesday, June 20 at 7pm
  • Morocco: Monday, June 25 at 7pm

How should Spain line up?

Pick your starting XI here:

What odds are Spain to win the World Cup?

 6/1

The kits

See where Spain's shirts ends up in our ranking of all 64 World Cup shirts below:

Who's the coach?

Julen Lopetegui, which, if said correctly, sounds like an underwater bubble in a bath, former Real and Barca back-up keeper and elite player whisperer of the Guardiola school.

What are his and Spain's tactics and likely formation?

JJ Bull on why La Roja do not need a striker.

Who's the star?

Sergio Ramos, now captain, outstanding defender with the odd klutzy moment that redeems his propensity for astoundingly cynical fouls.

Spain are in safe hands with David de Gea, with Pepe Reina on stand-by Credit: Getty Images

Best thing about them

The passing and movement of that ageing but still sinuous attacking midfield axis of Andres Iniesta and David Silva bolstered by the younger guns Koke and Isco.

Worst thing about them

The amount of effort Sergios Ramos and Busquets expend squealing, feigning assault and conning referees.

You may recognise…

Almost everyone in the squad but reserve a special hello for Pepe Reina, at his fourth World Cup like Iniesta and Ramos, but unlikely to add to his single appearance..

Cameramen will be picking out...  

Singer Shakira but hopefully Mrs Pique spares us a reprise of 2010’s official anthem monstrosity, Waka Waka.

Fans' favourite chant

‘A por ellos oé’ roughly translates as the Paul Weller-esque ‘C’mon, let’s go’.

On-field prediction

Synthesis of new blood and imperishable class takes them to the semis.

Off-field prediction

Chic, sockless, primrose cashmere crowd blends with wineskin rowdies and Manolo and his infernal drum.