In the final stretch of the countdown to the 2026 World Cup, Spain officially announced its list of 26 players called up for the tournament. This Monday, the coach of the European team, Luis de la Fuente, revealed the names of the players who will travel to the World Cup, with some surprises and significant absences.
One of the big news items is the presence of Lamine Yamal. The 18-year-old forward had kept La Roja on alert after suffering a muscle injury in the left hamstring that left him inactive since April. Although he is still going through the final stage of recovery, the coach decided to include him among the selected players.
The roster will also feature other important names such as Nico Williams, Pedri, Gavi, and Mikel Merino, in a squad that mixes youth and experience with the aim of competing for the world title again, something Spain achieved only once in South Africa 2010.
On the other hand, the list had a historical peculiarity: for the first time in its World Cup participations, the Spanish national team will not have players from Real Madrid. The most notable absence in this regard was Dean Huijsen, a central defender who had concrete chances of making the final squad but was left out after losing ground in the coaching staff's considerations. Neither Dani Carvajal, Fran García, nor Gonzalo García were included, the latter two having been on the preliminary list of 55.
Regarding the situation of the historical players who will not be at the World Cup, such as Carvajal and Álvaro Morata, De la Fuente avoided speaking of a definitive end to their cycles. "They have left an indelible legacy. Their cycles are not over. Better moments will come to count on them again", the coach explained.
Another significant absence is that of Fermín López, who recently suffered a fracture in the fifth metatarsal of his right foot and was ruled out for the tournament. He is joined by Samu Omorodion, a forward from Porto, who is still recovering from a ligament injury.
Before the start of the World Cup, La Roja will play two preparatory friendlies: on June 4 against Iraq in La Coruña and on June 9 against Peru in Puebla, Mexico. In the tournament, Spain will be in Group H alongside Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay. The debut will be on June 15 against the Africans in Atlanta, followed by a match against Saudi Arabia on the 21st in the same city and will close the initial phase against the Uruguayan team on the 27th in Guadalajara.
Spain's 26 players called up for the 2026 World Cup
Goalkeepers:
Unai Simón (Athletic Club)
David Raya (Arsenal)
Joan García (Barcelona)
Defenders:
Pedro Porro (Tottenham Hotspur)
Marcos Llorente (Atlético de Madrid)
Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Club)
Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona)
Marc Pubill (Atlético de Madrid)
Eric García (Barcelona)
Marc Cucurella (Chelsea)
