Spain to Face Iraq in Riazor Friendly Ahead of World Cup

Spain will play a friendly against Iraq at Riazor stadium on 4 June. The match opens the national team’s preparation for the 2026 World Cup. The fixture is scheduled 11 days before Spain’s World Cup qualifier against Cape Verde. Coach Luis de la Fuente will be without forward Yamal, winger Nico Williams and the players who featured in the recent Champions League final. Yamal and Williams miss the game due to club duties. The Champions League finalists are also unavailable for the friendly. Spain will use the Iraq match to assess squad depth ahead of the Cape Verde encounter. The result will inform tactical choices for the World Cup qualifying campaign.