Spain and Serbia go head-to-head in an international friendly at Estadio de la Cerámica on Friday as La Roja step up their preparations for the 2026 World Cup.
Spain vs Serbia – Match preview and team news
- Date: Friday, 27th March.
- Kick-off: 7:45pm BST.
- Venue: Estadio de La ceramica, Villarreal.
Spain team news
Several names are absent through injury, including Aymeric Laporte, Pablo Barrios, Samu Aghehowa, Mikel Merino and Fabián Ruiz.
Head coach Luis de la Fuente is expected to field a recognisable XI and has indicated he will “make full use” of his squad across the international window to manage workloads before the summer.
Lamine Yamal is in line to start on the right of a front three, while in midfield, Rodri and Pedri are both expected to start. Martín Zubimendi is pushing for minutes as well at the base of midfield after impressing in recent call-ups.
Unai Simon’s status as La Roja’s number one remains intact but Luis de la Fuente is considering handing a senior international debut to Barcelona’s Joan Garcia against Serbia.
“We are going to see how the games develop, and we will see if we can give a chance to those who have not lived this international experience,” De la Fuente said.
Serbia team news
Serbia will also be without several important players for March’s friendlies, with Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović one of the standout absentees. He continues his recovery and is not being rushed back after almost four months out injured.
Andrija Zuvković, Marko Grujić, Ivan Ilić, Nemanja Radonjić and in-form Aleksandar Katai are all unavailable as well, leaving Veljko Paunović notably short of natural wide attacking options in this squad.
There is, however, some encouragement for Serbia in the experience that remains within the camp.
Aleksandar Mitrović is set to lead the line, supported by a combative midfield unit featuring Sergej Milinković-Savić and Sasa Lukić. The rugged central defensive partnership of Nikola Milenković and Strahinja Pavlović should provide plenty of steel at the back.
Form
Spain
Spain come into this friendly in excellent form, having topped their World Cup qualifying group with 16 points from six games, three clear of second-placed Turkey.
They were unbeaten in all their qualifying matches and won five out of the six matches with their only dropped points in the group coming in their last match against Turkiye (2-2).
Serbia
Serbia’s recent form has been mixed, reflecting a team in transition after their unsuccessful World Cup qualification campaign.
They collected 13 points from eight qualifiers, finishing one point behind Albania and 11 adrift of England, and now face scrutiny over their inconsistency despite a squad many observers still label as “dark horses” on paper.
Predicted lineups
Spain: Garcia; Llorente, Laporte, Huijsen, Cucurella; Rodri, Zubimendi, Pedri; Yamal, F Torres, Oyarzabal
Serbia: Rajkovic; Pavlovic, Milenkovic, Erakovic, Terzic; Gudelj, Milinkovic-Savic, Lukic; Kostic; Mitrovic, Jovic
How to watch Spain vs Serbia?
For viewers in the UK, Spain vs Serbia is expected to be available live on Sky Sports, DAZN, or Disney+, depending on final broadcast arrangements.
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