European champions Spain were held to a 1-1 draw by Iraq in a FIFA World Cup 2026 warm-up in A Coruna on Thursday, with manager Luis de la Fuente resting a number of key players for the final friendly against Peru in Puebla, Mexico, on Monday.
De la Fuente left out Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, David Raya, Victor Munoz, Marc Cucurella, Pedri, Fabian Ruiz, Martin Zubimendi, Rodri and Mikel Oyarzabal due to fitness issues, leaving Spain with a heavily changed starting lineup.
The result was a subdued departure for Spain on home soil before traveling to North America on Friday. The country will start its World Cup campaign in Group H against Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.
Spain struggled to break down an organized Iraqi side, whose compact low block denied the hosts the rhythm that took the country to the 2024 European Championship title in Germany.
The hosts took the lead in the 16th minute in a quick counter-attack, with Ferran Torres charging from midfield through the center into the penalty area before firing past the goalkeeper.
Iraq equalized in the 27th minute through Merchas Doski with an excellent left-foot strike from a difficult angle on the left edge of the penalty area, the ball going over Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia, who was slightly off his line, and into the net.
Torres hit the crossbar in the 40th minute but Spain found it difficult to find clear openings against a disciplined opponent who will play only their second World Cup in Group I with France, Senegal and Norway.
Player Ratings Spain vs Iraq:
Spain: Joan Garcia (6.0/10), Pedro Porro (6.9/10), Jon Martín (6.2/10), Aymeric Laporte (7.4/10), Alejandro Grimaldo (6.5/10), Marc Bernal (6.4/10), Gavi (6.7/10), Dani Olmo (7.5/10), Álex Baena (7.1/10), Ferran Torres (8.0/10), Borja Churches (6.6/10)
subtitles: Gonzalo García (6.1/10), Sergio Gómez (6.5/10), Jesús Rodríguez (6.3/10), Eric García (6.2/10), Yéremy Pino (6.0/10), Beñat Turrientes (6.1/10), Javi Guerra (6.0/10), Marc Pubill (6.2/10), Mikel Merino (6.8/10), Leo Román (6.0/10), Javi Rodríguez (6.1/10)
Iraq: Ahmed Basil (6.3/10), Hussein Ali (6.8/10), Akam Hashim (7.0/10), Zid Tahseen (6.2/10), Merchas Doski (8.4/10), Zaid Ismael (6.5/10), Amir Al-Ammari (6.9/10), Ibrahim Bayesh (6.6/10), Marko Farkoji (6.1/10), Ali Jassim (6.8/10), Ali Al-Hamadi (6.4/10)
subtitles: Jalal Hassan (6.9/10), Aymen Hussein (6.3/10), Ahmed Al-Hajjaj (6.1/10), Rebin Sulaka (5.8/10), Zidane Iqbal (6.5/10), Kevin Yakob (6.2/10), Manaf Younis (6.1/10), Ahmed Qasem (6.0/10), Frans Putros (6.1/10), Youssef Amyn (6.2/10), Mustafa Saadoon (6.0/10)
Published on June 5, 2026
