World Cup 2026: The Spanish national team changes its plans and rests a key player!

10.07.26 FT World Cup

Spain

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Belgium

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As Spain prepare to lock horns with Belgium in a high-stakes quarterfinal showdown, the coaching staff have sprung a tactical surprise. The starting eleven unveiled for this crunch encounter carries a notable shift in the engine room—one that sees a familiar face relegated to the substitutes' bench.

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Pedri, the creative heartbeat of La Roja's midfield, will not be among the opening protagonists when the whistle blows. Instead, it is Fabián Ruiz who has been handed the nod to patrol the central corridors from the very first minute. The decision signals a calculated gamble by the technical team, opting for Ruiz's physical presence and box-to-box energy in what promises to be a fiercely contested battle.

While Pedri watches on from the sideline at kickoff, his influence is far from written off. The Barcelona playmaker remains a potent weapon in reserve, ready to be unleashed should Spain need to reshape their rhythm or unlock a stubborn Belgian defence as the game unfolds. For now, though, the spotlight falls on Ruiz to justify his selection on one of the biggest stages of the tournament.

Hazem Mlhem |

Editorar, en

Hazem Mlhem est un rédacteur sportif expérimenté, animé par une passion pour le football africain.

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