The Spanish national team manager Luis de la Fuente’s withdrawal has, if possible, caused even more commotion than Thomas Tuchel did when he left out many who a gathered press corps thought were obvious for this summer’s World Cup.
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Luis de la Fuente has selected the 26 players who will represent Spain at the 2026 World Cup – and a number of big names have been left out, including Dean Huijsen and Dani Carvajal.
Spain is among the favorites to win this year’s summer championships in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The reigning European champions are chasing their second World Cup gold, after they last won in 2010.
In fact, national team manager Luis de la Fuente has recently described his team as one of the big favourites.
“We have to be careful, even if we are favourites,” he said earlier in May. “We have to keep both feet on the ground. I don’t hide the fact that we are favourites – but we are just as big favourites as England and France.
When asked about the biggest challenge of the role, De la Fuente replied:
“The most critical process is to observe players, but the most painful part is to leave out players who are actually good enough to be involved.
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No Real Madrid players – for the first time in World Cup history
In a press conference on Monday, the La Roja boss presented a squad full of stars. Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Pau Cubarsí, Marc Cucurella and David Raya are all in the line-up, as expected.
But Fermín López – who broke the fifth midfoot bone in his right foot as Barcelona beat Real Betis 3-1 on May 17 – will not be included. The same goes for Fran García, Dani Carvajal and Dean Huijsen.
For the first time in World Cup history, there are no Real Madrid players in Spain’s squad.
Barcelona, on the other hand, have a total of eight representatives from their La Liga-winning team: Joan García, Eric García, Cubarsí, Gavi, Pedri, Dani Olmo, Ferrán Torres and Yamal.
Alvaro Morata left out – more stars must stay at home
Como striker Álvaro Morata, who has been a key player for Spain for a number of years, has also been left out. He did not score a single Serie A goal during the 2025/26 season.
Atlético Madrid centre-back Robin Le Normand has also been left out, along with Alejandro Balde, Pablo Barrios, Aleix García and Arsenal defender Cristhian Mosquera.
Here is Spain’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup:
Goalkeepers:
Unai Simón, David Raya, Joan García
Defenders:
Marc Cucurella, Alejandro Grimaldo, Pau Cubarsí, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Pubill, Eric García, Marcos Llorente, Pedro Porro
Midfielders:
Pedri, Fabián Ruiz, Martín Zubimendi, Gavi, Rodrigo Hernández, Álex Baena, Mikel Merino, Mikel Oyarzabal
Attackers:
Dani Olmo, Nico Williams, Yeremy Pino, Ferrán Torres, Borja Iglesias, Víctor Muñoz, Lamine Yamal
Here’s how Spain plays in the group stage:
Spain play two friendlies against Iraq and Peru before facing Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in Group H.
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