Being compared favourably with Lamine Yamal is no small compliment. After all, many consider Yamal to be the most gifted teenager the game has ever seen.
Yet Pau Cubarsi is proving that such praise is justified. The Barcelona defender has played a bigger role than his club teammate in Spain’s impressive journey to the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals, producing performances that have placed him among the leading candidates for the Young Player of the Tournament award.
Key Highlights
- Pau Cubarsi has emerged as one of Spain’s standout performers at the 2026 World Cup, playing a crucial role in the team’s run to the quarter-finals while making a strong case for Young Player of the Tournament.
- Spain’s defence has been impenetrable in North America, reaching the last eight without conceding a single goal, with Cubarsi forming a dominant partnership alongside Aymeric Laporte.
- Cubarsi’s composure and passing ability have made him an essential part of Spain’s build-up play, with only Rodri completing more passes than him at the tournament so far.
- Lamine Yamal has yet to reach his best after recovering from injury, but the teenage star remains confident he can deliver when the biggest World Cup moments arrive.
From Euro 2024 Omission to World Cup Mainstay
Cubarsi’s rise has been remarkable, especially considering he was left out of Spain’s Euro 2024 squad. When Luis de la Fuente decided against selecting the then-17-year-old defender, the Spain coach insisted age was not the deciding factor. His decision was understandable at the time, as De la Fuente had four centre-backs he believed were operating at a higher level.
However, that situation has changed dramatically. At the current World Cup, few defenders have matched Cubarsi’s consistency, maturity and overall performance level.
Spain’s Unbreakable Defensive Unit
Spain’s perfect defensive record in North America has been built through a collective effort. Mikel Oyarzabal’s pressing from the front, Rodri’s exceptional protection in midfield and the reliability of the back five have combined to create a side that has reached the quarter-finals without conceding a single goal.
Marc Cucurella has shown why Real Madrid invested €60 million (£51m/$68.5m) to sign him from Chelsea, while Unai Simon has continued to justify his place ahead of David Raya and Joan Garcia after recording five consecutive clean sheets.
Aymeric Laporte has rediscovered his best form at 32, and Pedro Porro has looked like a completely different player compared to his club performances with Tottenham when representing Spain.
An “Era-Defining” Talent for Barcelona
Still, Cubarsi’s displays deserve particular recognition. The defender became a regular starter for Barcelona at just 17 and, like Yamal, was previously described as an “era-defining player” by club legend Xavi. Former Barcelona captain Carles Puyol also predicted that Cubarsi could become the club’s leading centre-back for at least the next 15 years.
Cubarsi himself has admitted that he does not feel pressure when he steps onto the pitch. His calmness at only 19 years old, however, makes his World Cup performances even more impressive.
A Perfect Partnership With Laporte
Defensively, Cubarsi has been almost flawless, with Laporte providing the ideal partner beside him. De la Fuente highlighted how the experienced defender has helped balance Cubarsi’s youthful qualities. “At crucial moments, a player like Laporte brings that experience Cuba needs [alongside him], and they complement each other fantastically,” the Spain coach said. “We've achieved a phenomenal balance in the centre of defence.”
Beyond defending, Cubarsi offers another important quality: his ability to create from deep. As a product of Barcelona’s La Masia academy, he has been developed with a strong emphasis on playing out from the back. That ability has made him a key figure in Spain’s possession-based approach, with only Rodri completing more passes than him at the World Cup so far.
Cubarsi has become one of the most trusted players in De la Fuente’s squad, with only four Spain players featuring in every minute of their World Cup campaign.
Yamal’s Slow Start After Injury
While Cubarsi has taken centre stage, Yamal’s World Cup journey has been more complicated. The Barcelona winger’s 2025-26 season was disrupted by a hamstring injury, leaving doubts over whether he would even make Spain’s World Cup squad. He missed both warm-up matches and managed only a 19-minute appearance in the surprising 0-0 draw against Cape Verde.
Yamal finally returned to the starting lineup in Spain’s 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia, immediately showing his importance by scoring in Atlanta and adding a new dimension to Spain’s attack. However, he has struggled to maintain that impact.
His trademark dribbling was visible during Spain’s round-of-32 victory over Austria, where La Roja became the first team since Brazil in 1958 to start two teenagers in a World Cup knockout match. But against Portugal, Yamal once again found it difficult to overcome Nuno Mendes, who has consistently frustrated him.
As a result, one of football’s most feared wingers is still searching for his first World Cup assist heading into Spain’s quarter-final clash with Belgium. He has created just five chances in the tournament so far.
Waiting for the Biggest Moments
Despite his slow start, Yamal remains confident that his best performances are still ahead. The teenager admitted he expects more from himself but believes regular match time will help him return to his best after his lengthy absence.
He added that continuing to play, build rhythm and regain confidence will allow him to reach his highest level when the most important matches arrive. Yamal also believes his strongest performances often come later in major tournaments.
That belief will worry Belgium and every remaining team at the World Cup. Yamal’s ability to deliver in decisive moments was already on display during Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph. If he finds his rhythm in the knockout rounds, Spain could become even more dangerous — especially with a new era-defining defensive talent like Cubarsi leading from the back.
