Trump thinks Spain’s a ‘loser.’ Spain’s ready to prove him wrong at the World Cup.

Article excerpt

Spain enters the 2026 World Cup as a joint favorite with France, led by teenage sensation Lamine Yamal and midfielder Rodri. But the stakes feel personal: Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized Spain, calling it a 'loser,' and made clear he views the tournament as a stage for projecting American influence. For Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, an outspoken socialist who has clashed with Trump, a World Cup victory would carry symbolic weight beyond soccer. Spain's success would deliver a rebuke to the U.S. president's dismissal of the country.