Seventy percent of Catalans wanted the Spain national football team to win the 2026 World Cup, according to a survey published on Wednesday. The study by Catalonia's Centre for Opinion Studies (CEO), based on 2,000 interviews, paints a picture of broad support for the side managed by Luis de la Fuente.
The national team coach has acknowledged the figure. "El apoyo al combinado nacional contió con el respaldo del 70 % de los catalanes," said Luis de la Fuente. The survey breaks down the data, showing 43% of respondents clearly wanted Spain to win, while 27% preferred their victory over other nations. At the opposite end, only 7% of Catalans preferred the team's defeat.
Support varies by club affiliation. Among FC Barcelona fans, 69% backed Spain. The figure rises to 89% for Real Madrid supporters and 83% for Espanyol followers. Seventeen percent of those surveyed were indifferent to the result and 6% admitted not following the matches. The poll also reveals that, among those who had a favourite team, a overwhelming 84% wanted a Spanish triumph.
This backing comes at a time of strong form for La Roja. Luis de la Fuente's team is on a four-game winning streak, most recently beating Croatia 2-1 on October 6, and prepares for its next fixture away to Czechia on November 12.
The political context did not overshadow sporting support. Despite 43% of respondents defining themselves as pro-independence, the vast majority celebrated the national team's success. Reasons for supporting Spain were varied: 38% did so out of identity and belonging to the country, while 18% cited simple sporting preference. The survey confirms football often acts as a unifying force that transcends other divisions. The national team, with Mikel Oyarzabal as its top scorer this season with five goals, heads into its next phase with the backing of a wide and diverse fanbase across the country.
The original report is at El Debate
