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England and Spain have become accustomed to facing each other in significant fixtures in recent years. While Friday’s World Cup qualifying encounter might not carry the same weight as last summer’s European Championship final or the 2023 World Cup final, it remains a high-stakes contest that could determine which of the two European giants qualifies directly for next summer’s tournament in Brazil, with the other having to go through the play-offs.

Since clashing in the Euro 2022 quarter-finals, the two sides have met six times, with England winning four, including the latest victory at Wembley in April. However, Friday’s match presents a different challenge. Spain have triumphed in their only home meeting among those games, part of an impressive 15-match unbeaten run on home soil that includes just one draw, along with dominant wins over Germany, Sweden, France, and the Netherlands.

Spain’s last home defeat came in a thrilling 3-2 match against Italy in December 2023, ending what was then a 27-game unbeaten streak at home. That run stretched back to a loss against the United States in Alicante in January 2019, long before Spain rose to their current world-champion status. Simply put, La Roja are formidable hosts.

If England can travel to Mallorca and defeat Sonia Bermudez’s team, the result would be monumental. It would not only secure automatic qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, forcing Spain into the play-offs, but would also reinforce England’s credentials as frontrunners to lift the trophy in Brazil.

Dominant at home

The scale of Spain’s strength on home turf cannot be overstated. Some of their recent results at home have been exceptional. Their performances in the Nations League finals stand out, notably a 3-0 demolition of Germany in Madrid in December, following a 4-0 thrashing of Sweden in Malaga six weeks earlier. Under previous coach Montse Tome, they displayed similar dominance in the 2024 edition of the same competition, beating the Netherlands 3-0 and France 2-0 in matches held in Seville.

These are far from routine qualifying wins or low-pressure friendlies. Spain have consistently delivered their best performances in high-pressure situations, in front of home fans, and against elite opposition, often not just winning but completely outclassing their rivals.

England’s missing stars

Heading to Mallorca without Leah Williamson is a significant setback for England. Although the Lionesses have adapted in her absence after she missed much of the 2023 Women’s World Cup and the 2025–26 season due to an ACL injury, her leadership remains invaluable, especially in matches of this magnitude.

Others will need to step up for Friday’s clash. Lauren James’ fitness remains uncertain after she sustained a minor injury during Chelsea’s participation in the World Sevens tournament last week. Losing such an influential player would be a major blow for Sarina Wiegman’s side, who will need her creative flair to overcome such a strong Spanish team.

Positive news for Spain

Spain, on the other hand, have received a major boost with Aitana Bonmati returning for the first time since fracturing her leg while on international duty in November. The midfielder has been gradually regaining her fitness with Barcelona, featuring for 90 minutes in their penultimate league match and another 45 minutes four days later, suggesting she is ready for Friday’s game.

With Bonmati’s return, Spain have close to a full-strength squad. The only notable absentee is Laia Aleixandri, who tore her ACL in February, while Jenni Hermoso remains excluded from the squad. Apart from that, the roster is packed with familiar names: Bonmati, Alexia Putellas, Patri Guijarro, Mariona Caldentey, Claudia Pina, Salma Paralluelo, Cata Coll, Mapi Leon, and Ona Batlle.

England’s growing confidence

Despite these challenges, England will not be intimidated. The Lionesses defeated Spain in April even without Williamson, with the centre-back duo of Lotte Wubben-Moy and Esme Morgan delivering a flawless defensive display. Injuries to Ella Toone and Grace Clinton limited midfield options, but 21-year-old Lucia Kendall stepped up superbly in what was the biggest match of her career so far.

When England last travelled to Spain during the 2025 Nations League group stage, they came close to securing all three points. Alessia Russo put them ahead after 22 minutes, and they looked strong until Wiegman substituted Georgia Stanway, Lucy Bronze, and Beth Mead early in the second half to manage workloads ahead of the Euros. Spain then turned the game around through two superb goals from Claudia Pina.

While it’s speculative to suggest England would have won without those substitutions, the changes clearly affected the match’s outcome. Still, the experience proved beneficial for their long-term success ahead of their subsequent European Championship victory.

England will take encouragement from that performance. Completing a double over Spain in this qualifying campaign would be a real statement of intent.

Alternative pathways

Even securing a draw in Mallorca would be a positive result for England, as it would guarantee automatic qualification for next year’s World Cup. Only the group winner earns that privilege, leaving the remaining teams to fight through the play-offs.

While progressing through the play-offs would not be disastrous for either England or Spain, it would alter their World Cup preparation significantly. In the build-up to the 2023 tournament, England arranged friendlies against top-tier opponents such as the United States, Japan, South Korea, and Australia, and even faced Brazil in the Finalissima. Spain followed a similar path, taking on the U.S., Japan, China, Panama, and Jamaica before their title-winning run.

The luxury of selecting elite opponents for preparation is something only the group winner can enjoy. The runner-up, meanwhile, will spend much of 2026 in competitive European fixtures, limiting opportunities for diverse exposure and tactical experimentation.

Therefore, a strong result against Spain not only boosts England’s chances of being viewed as World Cup favourites but also gives them optimal conditions for preparation ahead of Brazil 2027.

Setting the tone

Sarina Wiegman’s tactical approach to this fixture will be particularly intriguing. It’s a tricky balance to strike when a draw is sufficient for qualification, especially against a team of Spain’s quality. Playing too cautiously risks inviting pressure, while an overly aggressive approach could leave England exposed defensively. The balance they achieved during the Wembley encounter will be key once again.

If Wiegman and her side can replicate that disciplined yet assertive performance, it would further establish her reputation as one of the finest coaches in international women’s football. Her track record — three consecutive European Championship titles and two straight World Cup final appearances — speaks for itself.

Victory in Mallorca would put both Wiegman and England in an ideal position as they chase the one major title that has eluded them so far. Securing direct qualification at Spain’s expense would allow the Lionesses to prepare freely and confidently, making them genuine favourites for the 2027 Women’s World Cup crown.