Spain to host Iraq in final pre-World Cup friendly

The Spanish national football team will play its final home friendly match before departing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Iraq on Thursday evening in La Coruña. The match at the Estadio Municipal de Riazor is a key preparation fixture for both squads ahead of the global tournament.

Spain, the reigning European champion, enters the contest as a favorite to win the World Cup this summer. The team, led by coach Luis de la Fuente, is seeking its second world title, having last won in 2010. Spain has not lost a match in normal time since a defeat to Scotland in March 2023. This match represents the team's last opportunity to fine-tune its squad on home soil before a final warm-up against Peru and its World Cup opener against Cape Verde on June 15.

For Iraq, the friendly offers a critical benchmark against elite opposition. The match marks a significant moment for the Iraqi program, which has qualified for its first World Cup since 1986. The team, known as the Lions of Mesopotamia, secured its place in the 2026 tournament after a lengthy 21-game qualification campaign culminated in an intercontinental playoff victory over Bolivia. In the World Cup, Iraq will face a challenging...