European champions Spain go kick off their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign on Thursday for Sofia, as dem face Bulgaria away.
Both teams dey Group E with Turkey and Georgia. Na only group winner go qualify automatic, while second place go drop for playoffs.
Match Preview
Bulgaria dey return to competitive action after dem fail to secure promotion for 2024-25 Nations League.
Ilian Iliev boys finish second for Group C3 with nine points, but dem lose home and away (2-1 both legs) to Republic of Ireland for promotion playoff. That one mean dem still remain for League C till 2026.
Ahead of this qualifiers, Bulgaria no too impress for June friendlies: 2-2 draw vs Cyprus, then 4-0 heavy defeat to Greece.
As the lowest-ranked team for the group, Bulgaria sabi say the road tough if dem wan reach World Cup for first time since 1998. History no dey their side either – dem never beat Spain in their last five meetings (4 losses, 1 draw).
Spain on the other hand dey return after Nations League heartbreak. Dem beat Netherlands on penalties and edge France 5-4 for semis, but lose to Portugal 5-3 on penalties for final in Munich.
Luis de la Fuente men go now channel focus on World Cup road, with eye on lifting the trophy again after 2010. La Roja already secure playoff slot from Nations League, but dem dey expect automatic ticket for their 13th straight World Cup.
Spain dey solid away from home too – dem never lose any European qualifier on the road since March 2023 vs Scotland.
Form Guide
Bulgaria (all competitions): W D L L D L
Spain (all competitions): W W D W W L
Team News
For Bulgaria, Aberdeen keeper Dimitar Mitov fit start, but Levski Sofia goalie Svetoslav Vutsov dey push am for shirt. Iliev fit set up with back five – Nikolay Minkov, Kristian Dimitrov, Aleks Petkov, Anton Nedyalkov and Fabian Nurnberger.
For attack, Aleksandar Kolev dey ahead of Vladimir Nikolov to lead the line.
Spain don lose Gavi, Fabian Ruiz and Yeremy Pino to injury. De la Fuente don call Aleix Garcia (Leverkusen) and Jorge de Frutos (Rayo Vallecano) as replacements.
Lamine Yamal go hope to carry Barcelona hot form (2 goals, 3 assists already this season) into this qualifier. Mikel Oyarzabal fit start ahead of Ferran Torres, though Torres still dey target him 50th international cap.
Bulgaria possible XI: Mitov; Minkov, Dimitrov, Petkov, Nedyalkov, Nurnberger; Despodov, Shopov, Gruev, Milanov; Kolev
Spain possible XI: Simon; Porro, Le Normand, Huijsen, Cucurella; Pedri, Zubimendi, Olmo; Yamal, Williams, Oyarzabal
Prediction
Spain get firepower everywhere for pitch. Bulgaria fit try frustrate dem, but the quality gap too big. We dey back La Roja to dominate this one.
Our Pick: Bulgaria 0-3 Spain
