Kolkata: For the first time since 1950, Spain’s World Cup squad won’t feature a Real Madrid player as De la Fuente opted against naming one in his 26-man squad announced on Monday.
Real Madrid’s Dean Huijsen was dropped due to an injury, and veteran Dani Carvajal was also excluded after struggling through an injury-hit campaign.
Along with teenage Barcelona star Lamine Yamal, Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams played a key role as Spain won Euro 2024, and he is in the squad despite a season badly disrupted by fitness issues. Yamal is also doubtful for the first matches of the tournament after suffering a hamstring injury with Barca, which has kept him out since late April.
The UEFA EURO 2024-winning tactician Fuente has an abundance of riches at his disposal, with Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal leading the way. Sixteen players who helped La Roja secure continental honours two years ago are in the squad for the global finals. In addition to Yamal, De la Fuente will be relying on other key figures such as Mikel Oyarzabal, Rodri, Pedri and Marc Cucurella.
There is ample skill and experience in midfield with Mikel Merino, Dani Olmo, Pedri, Rodri and Martin Zubimendi, while Victor Munoz’s good form earns a nod to bring punch to the wings with Yeremy Pino, Nico Williams and Yamal. Up top, a lethal trio of strikers will keep opposing defenders busy in Borja Iglesias, Oyarzabal and Ferran Torres.
Among the notable inclusions are Marc Pubill and Eric Garcia. Atletico Madrid defender Pubill has yet to debut with the senior side, while Garcia’s renaissance at Barcelona earned the defender his first call-up since Qatar 2022. In goal, Joan Garcia will join Unai Simon and David Raya behind a back-line that has only three of the eight defenders who helped conquer Europe in 2024: Cucurella, Alejandro Grimaldo and Aymeric Laporte.
De la Fuente played down the absence of Madrid’s players, preferring to highlight those who are in the squad.
“I’m the manager, and I don’t look at where the players come from. They’re national team players; I don’t look at one club or another. I don’t have the same local bias that a fan might have. All I want is for these players to feel proud to represent the national team,” De la Fuente told reporters.
Apart from Yamal, Barcelona’s contingent in Spain squad includes Joan Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, Gavi, Pedri, Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres, while seven players called up are based in the Premier League.
“Excitement is the keyword. Passion,” De la Fuente said.
“The reaction of people all over Spain – adults and children alike – is that they are fully behind the national team. It is an honour for me to represent the national team.”
Arsenal provided three of Spain’s Premier League-based players in goalkeeper David Raya and midfielders Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino, while Manchester City’s Rodri gives De la Fuente a commanding presence in midfield.
The coach also addressed the injury concern regarding Yamal and Williams, who will arrive at the tournament nursing hamstring issues.
“We’re very relaxed. Barring any setbacks, we’ll have everyone available from the very first match. We’re in close contact with the clubs’ medical teams,” he said.
“We’ll call on them when we deem it appropriate. I’d like to reiterate that we’ll have everyone in top form and we’ll be able to enjoy watching them in the tournament.”
Spain will arrive at the World Cup carrying the confidence of their European Championship triumph in Germany two years ago, but with the weight of expectation from a passionate fanbase.
Spain’s FIFA World Cup 2026 squad
Goalkeepers: Unai Simon, David Raya, Joan Garcia
Defenders: Marcos Llorente, Marc Pubill, Pedro Porro, Aymeric Laporte, Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, Marc Cucurella, Alejandro Grimaldo
Midfielders: Rodri, Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, Pedri, Gavi, Fabian Ruiz, Alex Baena
Forwards: Yeremy Pino, Victor Munoz, Mikel Oyarzabal, Ferran Torres, Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Nico Williams, Borja Iglesias.
