For the first time ever in history, the Spain football team at the FIFA World Cup will have no representation from Real Madrid as head coach Luis de la Fuente announced his 26-member side for the games biggest spectacle starting next month in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Real Madrid centre-back Dean Huijsen was the biggest surprise omission from the Spain squad, who was once considered to be a potential starter for De la Fuente. It is believed Huijsen’s inconsistent season with the La Liga giants saw him lose his spot to Barcelona defender Eric García.
Meanwhile, veteran Dani Carvajal’s struggles through an injury-hit campaign with Real Madrid might be the reason for his exclusion. However, Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal headlined Spain’s squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026 despite having injury concerns.
The 18-year-old Yamal is a doubt for the first few matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026 after suffering a hamstring injury with Barcelona which has kept him out since late April. De la Fuente’s squad also includes Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino after his recent return from injury.
Merino, a favourite of coach De la Fuente, appeared as a substitute for the Gunners against Crystal Palace on Sunday in their final Premier League match, for his first appearance since January after a foot fracture.
De La Fuente also called up defenders Garcia and Marc Pubill after impressive seasons with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid respectively. Atletico’s Robin Le Normand was also left out.
Along with Yamal, Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams played a key role as Spain won Euro 2024 and has been named in the squad despite a season badly disrupted by fitness issues. Spain will be without midfielder Fermin Lopez, who underwent surgery last week after fracturing his foot.
Spain squad for FIFA World Cup 2026
Goalkeepers: Unai Simon, David Raya, Joan Garcia
Defenders: Marcos Llorente, Marc Pubill, Pedro Porro, Aymeric Laporte, Eric García, Pau Cubarsí, Marc Cucurella, Alejandro Grimaldo
Midfielders: Rodri, Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, Pedri, Gavi, Fabian Ruiz, Alex Baena
Forwards: Yeremy Pino, Víctor Muñoz, Mikel Oyarzabal, Ferran Torres, Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Nico Williams, Borja Iglesias
Spain’s FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule
One of the favourites to win the FIFA World Cup, Spain will play two friendlies against Iraq and Mexico as warm-up games. The 2010 champions will start their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign against debutants Cape Verde in Atlanta in Group H. They will then take on Saudi Arabia six days later before wrapping up the group stage against Uruguay.
Cristhian Mosquera, Isco, Alejandro Balde, Fran Garcia, Gonzalo Garcia, Pablo Barrios and Aleix Garcia are some of the names in the list of notable omissions. Barcelona will have eight representations at the World Cup.