Is Spain a contender for the World Cup? Iniesta answers

Former Spanish star Andrés Iniesta expressed his strong belief in Spain's ability to compete fiercely for the upcoming World Cup title, considering "La Roja" among the top three favorites to win the tournament. Iniesta's remarks came during the launch of his new "Iniesta Academy" project in Dubai, where he announced the opening of a new football academy, set to begin operations next September. This academy will join a chain of academies bearing his name in several countries, including Japan, Spain, Kuwait, and Egypt. The 2010 World Cup winner explained that the Spanish national team possesses a group of players capable of competing at the highest levels, noting that the experience within the squad gives them a significant advantage in the title race. He expressed his hope that the World Cup will return to Spain once again. Iniesta also spoke about the young talent Lamine Yamal, a Barcelona player, praising his high technical abilities and describing him as an exceptional player capable of making a difference despite his young age. He emphasized that Yamal's continuous development represents an important asset for the future of the Spanish national team in upcoming competitions. Speaking about his new project, Iniesta emphasized that his academy will employ modern training methods and international technical standards aimed at developing young talent. He explained that his choice of Dubai stemmed from his extensive experience in the emirate and his familiarity with its supportive sporting environment for football investment. The former Spanish star, who also coaches a first-division club in the UAE, indicated that his future plans include expanding the academy by establishing new branches within the region, focusing on the quality of training and cultivating a new generation of players. Iniesta concluded by affirming his family's stability in Dubai and his great satisfaction with life there, considering the new project an important step in his post-retirement career and an opportunity to pass on his experience to future generations.