Spain will put its reputation as one of the favorites to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the line when it faces Austria in the Round of 32 at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, United States, on Friday, July 3, 2026, at 2:00 a.m. La Furia Roja hopes to follow fellow world champions Brazil and France into the Round of 16, rather than suffer the same fate as Germany, which was eliminated at this stage.
Spain reached the knockout phase as Group H winners after defeating Saudi Arabia and Uruguay, following a scoreless draw against Cape Verde. However, their journey to the knockout rounds has not been entirely smooth. In addition to an attack that has yet to reach its full potential, Luis de la Fuente’s squad has also been dealt a major blow by an injury crisis.
Although Spain remains the favorite on paper, the team’s internal situation is far from ideal, particularly regarding player fitness. Against Austria, Spain could be without two key wingers, Nico Williams and Yeremy Pino, both of whom sustained injuries during the physical final group-stage match against Uruguay.
Pino suffered the more serious injury and is suspected of having a fractured collarbone.
“Yeremy Pino may have suffered a fractured collarbone. We’ll find out after he undergoes further tests tomorrow. He is in a lot of pain,” De la Fuente said.
Williams’ condition is also a concern.
“Nico initially felt some discomfort, but he is clearly injured. He was limping in pain,” De la Fuente added.
Losing both wingers would be a significant setback for Spain. Williams’ pace and Pino’s one-on-one ability have been crucial weapons in breaking down opposing defenses. Their absence would leave Spain with fewer attacking options and could make their offensive play more predictable.
Regardless of who replaces Williams and Pino, De la Fuente is expected to continue relying on Pedri, Rodri, and Lamine Yamal to dominate possession in midfield. However, he acknowledged that Austria would likely be comfortable playing without the ball, preferring to apply aggressive pressure to force Spain into mistakes before launching quick attacks into the space behind Spain’s high defensive line.
“We know this will be a very intense match. It’s not the type of game in which we feel most comfortable,” he said.
Austria to Rely on Physicality
If Spain fails to establish its rhythm early in the match, Austria will have a strong opportunity to turn the contest into a physical battle.
Ralf Rangnick’s side has developed a clear playing identity, combining relentless energy with an aggressive pressing style capable of maintaining constant pressure throughout the full 90 minutes.
Austria will also enter the match with nothing to lose, having already exceeded expectations. They advanced as the Group J runners-up, finishing behind Argentina and edging Algeria on goal difference.
Their underdog status has only boosted Austria’s confidence ahead of the clash with Spain. Throughout the group stage, they demonstrated disciplined defending, aggressive pressing, and effective attacking transitions.
Austria’s veteran defender David Alaba insisted that his team is not intimidated by Spain.
“This match means a great deal to us. They are a special team with tremendous quality throughout their squad. It will certainly be a very difficult game for us. We’ll see what happens,” said Alaba, who has spent the past five seasons playing for Real Madrid.***
