TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Spanish national team coach Luis de la Fuente has announced a 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup on Monday, May 25, 2026. Lamine Yamal's name made the list, but not a single Real Madrid player was called up. Defender Dean Huijsen follows Dani Carvajal, who also failed to make the squad.
Spain will open against Cape Verde on June 15 before facing Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in Group H.
De la Fuente selected Unai Simon from Athletic Club, David Raya from Arsenal, and Joan Garcia from Barcelona as the three goalkeepers. Meanwhile, Real Sociedad's goalkeeper, Alex Remiro, did not make the list.
In defense, De la Fuente called up Marc Cucurella, Alejandro Grimaldo, Pau Cubarsi, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Pubill, Eric Garcia, Marcos Llorente, and Pedro Porro. In midfield, names such as Pedri, Fabian Ruiz, Martn Zubimendi, Gavi, Rodri, Alex Baena, and Merino were also included.
Meanwhile, the forward line includes Mikel Oyarzabal, Dani Olmo, Williams, Yeremy Pino, Ferran Torres, Borja Iglesias, Victor Munoz, and Lamine Yamal.
In addition to Huijsen and Carvajal—who were not even in the initial 55-man squad—Atletico Madrid defender Robin Le Normand was also cut from the squad. Barcelona midfielder Fermín López is absent after suffering a broken leg. "It's difficult," said De la Fuente when asked about leaving out players from his World Cup roster, as quoted from ESPN.
Huijsen's absence means there are no Real Madrid players for Spain in the 2026 World Cup. "We think about every possible scenario that can happen in games with our opponents, and their characteristics. ... We've chosen these 26. I think we've covered the needs of the team. ... I don't look at whether they play for one team or another."
De la Fuente also called up nine support players, including Gonzalo Garcia from Real Madrid and Marc Bernal from Barcelona, who will train with the team before the tournament begins.
Spain will play a friendly match against Iraq in A Coruna on June 4 before flying to Mexico to face Peru in Puebla on June 8.
De la Fuente stated that the medical reports indicate that Yamal, Williams, and Merino—who returned to play for Arsenal in the final match of the English Premier League this season—are expected to be ready to play against Cape Verde on June 15.
"If there are no setbacks, almost all players will be available from the first match. Our doctors and physical trainers have visited the clubs and communicated with them. We continue to coordinate. I have no doubt they will be ready for the first match, and if not, they will definitely be ready for the second match," he said.
Spain is among those expected to clinch a World Cup title this summer, after their monumental comeback in the Euro 2024. Spain was kicked out of the round of 16 in the previous World Cup.
Spain's Squad for the 2026 World Cup
Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Club), David Raya (Arsenal), Joan Garca (Barcelona)
Defenders: Marc Cucurella (Chelsea), Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Club), Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen), Pedro Porro (Tottenham Hotspur), Eric Garca (Barcelona), Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid), Marc Pubill (Atletico Madrid)
Midfielders: Gavi (Barcelona), Rodri (Manchester City), Pedri (Barcelona), Martn Zubimendi (Arsenal), Fabian Ruiz (PSG), Alex Baena (Atletico Madrid), Mikel Merino (Arsenal)
Forwards: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Nico Williams (Athletic Club), Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Yeremy Pino (Crystal Palace), Borja Iglesias (Celta Vigo), Vctor Munoz (Osasuna)
Read: James Rodriguez, Luis Diaz Lead Colombia Squad for 2026 World Cup
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