Martín Zubimendi’s World Cup Enigma: Key Midfielder Yet to Debut for Spain

The 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage has concluded for Spain, with three matches played. Yet, midfielder Martín Zubimendi, a player who has been instrumental for the national team in the Euros and World Cup qualifiers, remains an unused substitute. This paradox places him among a small group of healthy outfield players who have yet to see any action in the tournament.

De la Fuente’s Tactical Blueprint

Coach Luis de la Fuente has utilized seventeen of his twenty-two available outfield players across Spain’s initial three fixtures. However, Zubimendi, along with four other players, has not yet had the opportunity to step onto the pitch. This situation is particularly striking given Zubimendi’s established role and performance for the Spanish squad.

Rodri’s Indispensability and Zubimendi’s Bench Role

The primary factor behind Zubimendi’s lack of playing time appears to be the consistent selection of Rodri. The Manchester City midfielder is not only the team’s captain but also the linchpin of their midfield, playing every minute of Spain’s World Cup campaign thus far. This extensive involvement for Rodri is partly explained by his need to regain full match fitness after a muscular injury in April, which disrupted his usual playing time management under Pep Guardiola.

Rodri’s 270 minutes on the field have directly coincided with Zubimendi’s zero minutes. This is noteworthy because during Rodri’s significant absences in the past, Zubimendi stepped up impressively, even leading to discussions about whether he could challenge for Rodri’s starting position upon his return. Zubimendi was crucial in Spain reaching the Nations League final, scoring in the match against Portugal, and was a key figure in their dominant World Cup qualifying run.

Questions Surrounding Zubimendi’s Current Form

Adding another layer to this tactical puzzle are lingering questions about Zubimendi’s current form. After seamlessly integrating into Arsenal’s midfield following his move to London, he found himself as a substitute for the decisive part of the season. This led to speculation about potential physical and mental fatigue. Zubimendi himself acknowledged the situation before the tournament began, stating, “Of course, I would have liked to play more. I’m fine, but what I want is to help the team, on or off the field.”

A Look at Past Unused Stretches

The last time Zubimendi experienced a three-match run without playing was in September and October of 2023, during matches against Cyprus, Scotland, and Norway. Among the five players yet to feature in the current World Cup, three are defenders. While the right-back position has seen rotation between Marcos Llorente and Pedro Porro, the central defensive roles have been consistently occupied by Laporte, Cubarsí, and Cucurella. Eric García, Pubill, and Grimaldo are the other defenders who have not yet played. Eric García, in particular, has now completed seven World Cup matches entirely from the bench, spanning both the 2022 and 2026 tournaments.

Completing the list of players without World Cup minutes is forward Borja Iglesias. His inclusion in the squad was reportedly a strategic choice for specific match situations requiring a different striker profile. While an opportunity might have presented itself against Cape Verde, De la Fuente opted for alternative attacking solutions, utilizing players like Olmo and Merino, and eventually Nico Williams, rather than disrupting the established midfield and forward structure.

Limited Options as Knockout Stages Approach

As Spain heads into the knockout stages, De la Fuente’s options for tactical substitutions are likely to become more constrained. The team has also been impacted by injuries to Yeremy and Nico Williams, reducing the number of available outfield players to twenty. Notably, all of De la Fuente’s substitutions in the group stage were made in offensive areas, with the defense remaining untouched. Spain, alongside Mexico, was one of only two teams to finish the first phase without conceding a goal.

This situation presents a significant tactical dilemma for De la Fuente. While the team’s defensive solidity and Rodri’s midfield control have proven effective, the underutilization of a proven talent like Zubimendi raises questions about squad management and the team’s strategic flexibility as they progress deeper into the World Cup.

Source: MARCA Futbol – https://www.marca.com/futbol/seleccion/2026/06/29/paradoja-zubimendi-club-minutos.html