• Spain manager Luis de la Fuente excludes Real Madrid captain from 55-man preliminary squad
• Carvajal returned to training this week but failed to prove full fitness after hamstring issue
• 2024 Euros winner Alvaro Morata also misses out on international return
• Young Barcelona stars Gavi and Pau Cubarsi reportedly set for final 26-man selection
• Final Spain squad for 2026 World Cup to be named on May 30

Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal will miss the 2026 World Cup. Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has left the defender out of his preliminary squad.

The 34-year-old had hoped to play in one final tournament for his country. He returned to training this week after a hamstring injury. However, he has not convinced the coach that he is fully fit.

FIFA requires all nations to name a 55-man longlist before the final selection. Spain must confirm their 26-player squad by May 30. News about the longlist has already leaked to the media.

Carvajal played a key role when Spain won Euro 2024. De la Fuente had kept in contact with the player about a possible return. But Spanish radio station Cadena Cope reports that the coach has decided against including him.

Three other Real Madrid players are on the longlist. Dean Huijsen, Fran Garcia, and Gonzalo Garcia could all feature at the tournament. Experts believe only central defender Huijsen will make the final team.

Former Spain captain Alvaro Morata also misses out. The striker, who now plays for Como in Serie A, has lost his place in the national team over the past year.

Barcelona star Gavi is expected to be in the final squad. His teammates Joan Garcia and Pau Cubarsi should also travel to the World Cup. Defender Eric Garcia faces an anxious wait to learn his fate.