Bulgaria’s midfielder #10 Radoslav Kirilov and Spain’s forward #19 Lamine Yamal fight for the ball during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E European qualification football matches between Bulgaria and Spain, at the Vassil Levski stadium in Sofia on September 4, 2025. (Photo by Nikolay DOYCHINOV / AFP)

Spain kicked off their World Cup 2026 qualification campaign with an emphatic 3-0 win in Bulgaria on Thursday.

The Euro 2024 champions eased to a comfortable victory at the Vasil Levski Stadium in Sofia with first-half goals from Mikel Oyarzabal, Marc Cucurella and Mikel Merino.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente was able to bring on Rodri Hernandez and Dani Carvajal for their first international appearances in several months after both recovered from severe knee injuries.

Spain, who won the World Cup for the first and only time in 2010, are expected to top Group E which also contains Turkey and Georgia, to reach the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico directly.

This was the first time Spain have faced Bulgaria in more than 20 years, with the last competitive meeting at the 1998 World Cup.

Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi set up his former Real Sociedad team-mate Oyarzabal for the opener with a fine pass as Spain took the lead after five minutes.

Radoslav Kirilov hit the post for the hosts before Chelsea defender Cucurella thumped in to double Spain’s lead after the ball dropped into his path.