Pedri believes last year s near misses in the European Championship and the Nations League will benefit Spain in their quest to win a second World Cup this year.
The Barcelona midfielder was named Young Player of the Tournament as Spain were beaten by Italy in the semi-finals of the delayed Euro 2020, before La Roja suffered a Nations League final defeat to France last October.
While Spain have only reached the World Cup s final four once in their past 13 participations – when they won the tournament in 2010 – Pedri is optimistic about their chances of competing in Qatar.
Asked by Mundo Deportivo whether Luis Enrique s side could win the tournament, the 19-year-old responded: Why not?
You have to focus first on the group stage and then on the following rounds, but we have a team to be able to compete.
We come from a European Championship and a Nations League where we did very well. In the Euros we reached the semi-finals, and I was sure that if we went to the final, we would win it.
In the Nations League I could hardly play, but the team was very good. We are a very good group and it shows on the pitch.
We don t have a megastar, the group is our best star. When you all run together and everyone knows what they want and what you re playing for, I think you have a lot done and a good chance of winning.
We are going to the World Cup with everything, with a lot of desire to give the fans happiness, whether they support us from home or from Qatar. Let s give it our all.
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Pedri believes two South American sides could represent Spain s main competitors in Qatar, with the form of Paris Saint-Germain star and Barca legend Lionel Messi likely to be crucial to any challenge from Argentina.
I think that Brazil and Argentina have two great teams, Pedri said. Brazil because they have incredible quality in their players and Argentina because they have the best player, and I think they are going to really want to win this World Cup.
Spain begin their World Cup campaign against Costa Rica next Wednesday before facing fellow Group E foes Germany and Japan.
