Analysis of the offensive and defensive performance of the Spanish national team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Abstract

This study describes the offensive and defensive performance of the Spanish national team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which it won after a 1–0 victory over Argentina after extra time. Methods. A descriptive analysis of the tournament’s eight results is combined with publicly available indicators: goals, shots, expected goals (xG), clean sheets, and possession by match where available (FBref, 2026; FIFA, 2026b). The tactical interpretation is structured around progression, chance creation, protection of central areas, ball recovery, and transitions. Main results. Spain played 8 matches, scored 14 goals, conceded 1, and kept 7 clean sheets. FIFA reports 140 shot attempts and 17.48 xG for the team, as well as 7 clean sheets during the tournament (FIFA, 2026b). Average possession, calculated from the eight published match values, was approximately 64.1%. The campaign suggests a combination of ball control, the ability to accelerate progression, and defensive solidity. However, attributing these results causally to a specific tactical system requires reproducible video analysis, operational definitions, and independent coding.