Ismael Rescalvo: World Cup Truly Starts in Knockout Stage, Spain Not Best Playing Team

Ismael Rescalvo, the current coach for Liga Deportiva Alajuelense, has shared his views on the 2026 World Cup, asserting that the tournament's true competitive phase begins only from the round of 16 onwards. This perspective suggests that the initial group stages, while important for qualification, do not represent the pinnacle of the competition for the seasoned coach.

While Rescalvo confirmed his support for the Spanish national team, he was hesitant to name them as the best-playing team in the ongoing World Cup. This nuanced stance indicates that he values other aspects of team performance beyond just individual team support or perceived dominance. His comments were made in an interview with 'La Nación', where he also discussed his methods for following the tournament's matches from his base in Costa Rica.

“

From the round of 16 is when the World Cup really begins.

Rescalvo, who has been covering sports since 2005 and joined Grupo Nación in 2012, brings extensive experience to his commentary. His background includes covering major sporting events such as qualifying matches, the Tour de France, the World Volleyball Championship in Japan, and the Olympic Games in Rio. This depth of experience likely informs his analytical approach to the World Cup.

“

And of course, I'm with Spain in the 2026 World Cup.