Spain have won four of the five international matches between these teams

4 September 2025 - 8:03 am

The European qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are set to begin in the September international break, and one of its most prominent clashes will be between Bulgaria and Spain. The match will be played in Sofia, Bulgaria, at the National Sports Academy Vasil Levski.

The home side are coming into this game after suffering a 4-0 loss against Greece in a friendly, and facing the defending European champions on the opening matchday will be a difficult task for them.

Spain, on the other hand, will be playing their first match after losing the 2025 UEFA Nations League finals against Portugal back in June.

Key stats

  • Spain have won four of the five international matches between these teams (the exception is a 1-1 draw in the group stage at EURO 1996). This is their first encounter since a 1-0 victory for Spain at home in a friendly match in November 2002.
  • Bulgaria have won only two of their last 11 World Cup qualifying matches (D3 L6).
  • Bulgaria have lost only four of their last 21 World Cup qualifying matches at home (W13 D4).
  • Bulgaria have won six of their last nine World Cup qualifying matches at home (L3).
  • Spain have lost only one of their last 71 World Cup qualifying matches (W56 D14)
  • Spain have scored in each of their last 43 World Cup qualifying matches. Since a 0-0 draw against Serbia and Montenegro in March 2005.
  • Spain are unbeaten in their last 20 international matches (W15 D5).

Bulgaria vs Spain prediction

Bulgaria come into this one on the back of a 4-0 demolition at the hands of Greece in an international friendly during the June international break. The eastern Europeans have now managed just one victory in their last eight matches, with that one victory coming by a goal to nil against Luxembourg in the autumn of 2024.

They face a Spain side that, coached by Luis de la Fuente, have been able to bring experienced players back into the first-team, such as Dani Carvajal and Rodri. La Roja won UEFA EURO 2024 and have remained exceptional since then, albeit they did they lost the UEFA Nations League final against Portugal on penalties in Germany in June.

Bulgaria will fancy themselves to keep things tight at home, but Spain are expected to win this one comfortably and by a distance in the Bulgarian capital city of Spain.