Spain midfielder Pedri was left out of the starting lineup for the 2026 World Cup quarterfinal against Belgium, a surprising decision by head coach Luis de la Fuente. Despite Spain's strong recent performances and solid defensive record, the influential midfielder was named on the bench.
The reason for Pedri's omission has not been officially detailed, but the decision underscores a tactical choice by de la Fuente. Pedri has been a key figure for Spain in recent campaigns, making his absence from the starting XI notable ahead of a crucial knockout match.