Spain vs. Serbia—International Friendly: Preview, Predictions and Lineups Spain will take to the field for the first time in 2026 when it faces Serbia in a friendly match on Friday night. The reigning European champions are in the midst of preparations for the 2026 World Cup, having secured a dominant run through their qualification campaign. Under manager Luis de la Fuente, Spain remains one of the top contenders for the tournament, bolstered by a deep squad and consistent performance. The team has not suffered a defeat in 90 minutes in over two years, and its recent history against Serbia includes three consecutive wins. Serbia, meanwhile, is under new management after Veljko Paunović took over in November. The former Chicago Fire coach, who has experience in Spain, faces the challenge of turning around a team that struggled during the World Cup qualifiers, finishing behind Albania and missing the playoffs. Despite having a talented squad, Serbia’s lack of cohesion has been a recurring issue, with inconsistent results despite strong individual performances. The team’s only victories since its loss to Spain in October 2024 have come against lower-ranked opponents like Austria, Andorra, and Latvia. The match will be held at the Estadio de la Cerámica in Villarreal, with a kick-off time of 4 p.m. ET (1 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. GMT). Spain is expected to field a strong lineup despite missing several key players, including forwards Nico Williams and Álvaro Morata, as well as midfielders Mikel Merino and Fabián Ruiz, who are recovering from injuries. The absence of these players may lead to increased playing time for younger talents like Lamine Yamal, Pedri, and Rodri, who have been key contributors in recent campaigns. Spain’s attacking options remain formidable, with Yamal poised to be a major threat.#spain #luis_de_la_fuente #serbia #veljko_paunovi #estadio_de_la_cermica
