Pino on the qualities he hopes to show at the World Cup

Club

2 hours ago

Yéremy Pino says he will bring fight and commitment to Spain’s mission to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Palace playmaker has been selected for coach Luis de la Fuente’s 26-man squad for this summer’s tournament, in what will be his second FIFA World Cup Finals.

Pino was part of the Spanish squad which was eliminated by Morocco on penalties in the Round of 16 in Qatar in winter 2022, although – then just 20-years-old – he did not feature in four matches from the bench.

Having won the UEFA Conference League in his debut season with Palace, however – contributing 10 goal involvements and scoring in all four regular competitions the Eagles took part in – Pino is hoping to secure similar glory with Spain this summer, with La Roja’s campaign kicking off next Monday against Cabo Verde in Atlanta.

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It's a privilege to be here among the 26 best players in Spain
—Yéremy Pino

“Does it bother me [whether I start]?” Pino told a pre-match press conference earlier this week. “For me, it's a privilege to be here among the 26 best players in Spain – and many others missed out because that's how it goes.

“It's a privilege for me to be here, to be with the group every day. I don't mind if I don't play in the World Cup. Just being here is already a privilege.

“[I bring] the same things I've contributed to every team I've played for and every time I've come here: fight, commitment.

“Everything good I have to offer comes from teamwork, intensity, and many other qualities that show on the pitch whenever I play.

“It’s for the coach to decide. He knows I'm always ready to give my best. He's always shown me the confidence he has in me. Whatever he decides will be fine, and I'll be prepared for whatever comes.”

Reflecting on Spain’s label as one of the pre-tournament favourites this time around, off the back of a disappointing result four years ago, Pino admitted: “In the end [in Qatar], we didn't achieve our objective.

“We came with the goal of trying to win it, play our football, and enjoy the experience as well. The truth is that World Cup didn't go as well as we wanted, and the frustration was very great.

“[This time] being labelled favourites is normal, I think. We've had some very good years recently.

"We carry that with a lot of pride, but we can't let the pressure make us play worse. It should make us improve and play even better.

“I think we've earned the right to be there and to be considered favourites. We just have to handle it well.”

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