Merino names Spain's 2010 legends as inspiration ahead of World Cup debut

Mikel Merino has named the entire Spain squad from the 2010 World Cup off the top of his head — and says those players are the reason he is now preparing to represent La Roja at the 2026 tournament in North America.

The Arsenal midfielder, a key figure in Luis de la Fuente’s squad, was 14 years old when Spain claimed their first World Cup in South Africa, and the memory has never left him.

“You know, I can name that whole squad on the spot: Fernando Torres, Andres Iniesta, Xabi Alonso, Xavi, Sergio Busquets, David Villa, David Silva — so many absolute legends,” Merino said. “Those were the players that inspired this generation of Spanish players. Following in their footsteps by representing Spain at a World Cup is unreal. It’s just crazy!”

Spain arrive at the 2026 World Cup as one of the tournament favourites, buoyed by their Euro 2024 triumph in Germany and a new generation of talent that has replaced the tiki-taka era’s icons. It marks a significant turnaround from Qatar 2022, where they were eliminated in the group stage.

Merino himself has enjoyed a remarkable 12 months, adding a Premier League winner’s medal with Arsenal to the European Championship title he claimed two summers ago. Yet he is clear that a World Cup would represent something altogether different.

“It would literally be a dream come true,” he said. “Those moments when you were a kid, watching your idols lifting trophies and wishing to do that yourself. Winning the World Cup would make that child inside me happy again.”

Spain open their campaign against Cape Verde in Atlanta, with further group-stage fixtures against Saudi Arabia and Uruguay to follow. Despite being widely expected to advance with ease, Merino is wary of complacency.

“Experience and history has shown that when you get too relaxed in football, anything can happen,” he said. “So our mentality has been about being very humble, focused and trying to give the best version of ourselves.”

On the weight of expectation that comes with being European champions, Merino is equally measured. “Everyone that faces us does so in the knowledge we’re a top team,” he added. “Expectation doesn’t take the energy and the focus from us.”