European qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins today. Spain will open their Group E campaign away to Bulgaria at the Vasil Levski National Stadium in Sofia. As reigning European champions, Spain enter the qualifiers with expectations to secure a direct ticket to next summer’s tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Softfootball understands the clash is the start of Spain’s bid for a 13th consecutive World Cup appearance and reported the team’s arrival to the game venue. Even before a ball was kicked, Luis de la Fuente’s side held a safety net thanks to their UEFA Nations League performance. La Roja are already guaranteed a playoff place. Still, the target is to top Group E outright and avoid extra hurdles.
Bulgaria, meanwhile, faces a difficult task. They are ranked the lowest in the group and are looking to rebuild after a poor Nations League campaign that ended in relegation. The last time they played a World Cup finals game was in 1998, and hopes of a return looks very impossible. Head coach Ilian Iliev is expected to set his side up defensively, with goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov likely to be busy throughout the evening.
Group E is completed by Turkey and Georgia. Spain’s next assignment after Sofia will be against Turkey, while Bulgaria will need to pick themselves up quickly if they want to remain competitive.
Spain uploaded a video of head coach De la Fuente addressing his players ahead of the clash via the team’s official X account.
Watch the video below:
Spain posted the team’s starting XI on its official X handle:
Team news slightly complicated matters for Spain, with Gavi, Fabián Ruiz, and Yeremy Pino all unavailable through injury. Aleix García and Jorge de Frutos were drafted in as replacements. For Bulgaria, captain Kiril Despodov will again carry the bulk of the attacking responsibility.
The gulf in pedigree between both nations is evident. Spain have never lost to Bulgaria in five meetings (four wins, one draw), and their biggest international victory — a 13-0 triumph — came against the same opponents back in 1933. Form also favours La Roja, who have only suffered one defeat in their last 65 World Cup qualifiers.
For Bulgaria, the challenge is immense. They have conceded at least twice in every international game this year and are struggling to rediscover the spark of their famous fourth-place finish at USA 1994. Spain, by contrast, are brimming with confidence after their Euro 2024 triumph and remain bookmakers’ favourites to lift the World Cup next year.
