News Focus
- Lamine Yamal heads the list despite recent hamstring troubles
- Real Madrid players absent from Spain squad for first time in history
- Gavi returns after long-term knee injury
- Joan Garcia beats Alex Remiro to third goalkeeper spot
- Marc Pubill earns call-up after strong season with Atletico Madrid
Luis de la Fuente has chosen his 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup. Spain hope to win their second title this summer.
The Euro 2024 winners are among the favourites. De la Fuente believes his side can challenge France, England and Argentina for the trophy.
Injuries have disrupted preparations. Mikel Merino only recently recovered from a long spell on the sidelines. Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal both missed the end of the La Liga season with hamstring problems. Fermin Lopez will not play due to a broken metatarsal.
Gavi has been included despite playing just one minute for Spain since November 2023. The Barcelona midfielder suffered a cruciate ligament injury but De la Fuente has shown faith in him. Eric Garcia and Joan Garcia also join from Barcelona even though they have played rarely for the national team recently.
Marc Pubill from Atletico Madrid has earned his place after an excellent campaign at centre-back.
Borja Iglesias of Celta Vigo will serve as the main striker option. Victor Munoz keeps his spot after good performances in March.
The squad makes history. For the first time ever, no Real Madrid player will travel with Spain to a World Cup. Dean Huijsen misses out. Joan Garcia takes the third goalkeeper position ahead of Alex Remiro.
Robin Le Normand also loses his place to Pubill. This means three players from the Euro 2024 final starting line-up are missing. Dani Carvajal and Alvaro Morata are also out.
De la Fuente has named nine standby players. They will train with the squad in Spain before the team flies to the United States. These players can replace anyone who gets injured. The standby list includes Marc Bernal, Javi Rodriguez, Jesus Rodriguez, Leo Roman, Gonzalo Garcia, Sergio Gomez, Jon Martin, Benat Turrientes and Javi Guerra.
Spain World Cup Squad:
Goalkeepers: Unai Simon, David Raya, Joan Garcia
Defenders: Marcos Llorente, Pedro Porro, Eric Garcia, Marc Pubill, Aymeric Laporte, Pau Cubarsi, Marc Cucurella, Alejandro Grimaldo
Midfielders: Pedri, Fabian Ruiz, Martin Zubimendi, Gavi, Rodri Hernandez, Alex Baena, Mikel Merino
Forwards: Mikel Oyarzabal, Dani Olmo, Nico Williams, Yeremy Pino, Ferran Torres, Borja Iglesias, Victor Munoz, Lamine Yamal