A report says Iglesias was stopped by hotel security after arriving without the credential needed to prove his identity. The Celta de Vigo forward reportedly explained that he was part of Spain’s squad, but the exchange continued because he was not immediately recognised.
There is no confirmation of how the incident ended or whether Iglesias returned to the hotel immediately. He remained an unused substitute in Spain’s opening match, making the episode a curious off-field moment rather than a direct team-selection issue.
The goalless draw was a clear underperformance against the pre-match market expectation. Spain’s next task is not simply to avoid defeat; they need to show greater attacking threat after failing to score against a tournament debutant.
Saudi Arabia also began with a draw, sharing the points with Uruguay. That result gives Spain an opportunity to take control of the group, but another stalemate would leave their campaign short of momentum and increase the importance of the final group fixture.
For Luis de la Fuente, the priority is likely to restore sharper movement in the final third and make better use of the forwards available. Iglesias did not feature in the opener, so his role against Saudi Arabia will be one selection question to watch.
Spain’s reputation and market status mean the draw with Cabo Verde will be judged harshly. The Saudi Arabia match offers an immediate chance to correct that result, but it also carries greater pressure: Spain must turn possession and expectation into goals before a slow start becomes a genuine tournament problem.