EU Sport Commissioner Glenn Micallef said Spain is the strongest team in the world ahead of the Sunday World Cup final [1].

Micallef's comments highlight a tension between the growing global parity of the sport and the continued institutional dominance of European leagues and national teams.

Speaking during coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Micallef addressed the recent changes to the tournament's structure. He said the expanded World Cup format "worked" [2], noting that the broader field of teams demonstrates a general improvement in football quality across the globe [2].

Despite this global growth, the commissioner maintained that the center of gravity for the sport has not shifted. He said the "best talent and best football is still being played in Europe" [2]. This assertion serves as a defense of the European model of player development and league competition, a system that continues to attract the top players from every continent.

Micallef specifically singled out the Spain national team, known as La Roja, as the premier force in the current landscape [1]. He said, "I'm proud," in reference to the Spanish side's performance and standing [3].

The commissioner's backing of Spain comes at a critical moment as the tournament reaches its conclusion. By labeling the Spanish squad as the strongest, Micallef connects the success of a single national team to the broader superiority of European football infrastructure [2].

“"the best talent and best football is still being played in Europe"”

Micallef's comments reflect a strategic effort to validate the expanded World Cup format as a success for inclusivity while simultaneously asserting that Europe remains the sport's elite power center. By praising Spain as the strongest team, he reinforces the narrative that European tactical and technical standards remain the benchmark for global football, even as other regions close the gap.