Players from Madrid missing in Spain squad for first time as Luis de la Fuente names 26-man squad
Spain will head to this summer’s World Cup without a single player from Real Madrid in their squad for the first time after Luis de la Fuente named his 26-man group team
The omission of Madrid representation is one of the notable features of Spain’s selection, with Dean Huijsen, Dani Carvajal and Gonzalo Garcia all absent from the final squad. Carvajal and Huijsen had not made the provisional long list. Atletico Madrid defender Robin Le Normand was also left out.
Spain, European champions in 2024 and among the favourites for the tournament after their last-16 exit in Qatar four years ago, have retained the core of the side that won Euro 2024.
De la Fuente included Lamine Yamal despite the Barcelona forward missing the closing weeks of the La Liga season with a hamstring injury. De la Fuente expressed confidence that the winger, along with Nico Williams and Mikel Merino, would be available for the opening match.
“We’re very calm,” De la Fuente said. “I think that if there are no setbacks, we can almost have everyone available from the first game. The doctor and fitness coach have been visiting the clubs and talking to them. We’ve been coordinating.
“I have no doubt they’ll be ready for the first game, and if not, they’ll be ready for the second.”
𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗬’𝗥𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗦.
Our 26.#VamosEspaña | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/yYTZVkzwei— Spanish Football (@SpainIsFootball) May 25, 2026
The squad includes goalkeepers Unai Simon, David Raya and Joan Garcia, with midfield options led by Rodri, Pedri, Gavi and Fabian Ruiz. The forward line also features Dani Olmo, Ferran Torres and Mikel Oyarzabal.
Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez misses out after suffering a broken foot, while former captain Alvaro Morata, who led Spain to the European title two years ago, was omitted. De la Fuente nevertheless named Garcia among nine support players who will train with the squad before departure.
Spain open their Group H campaign against Cape Verde on 15 June in Atlanta before facing Saudi Arabia and Uruguay. Preparations will include friendlies against Iraq and Peru.
Spain’s 2026 World Cup Squad
Defenders: Marc Cucurella (Chelsea), Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Club), Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen), Pedro Porro (Tottenham), Eric Garcia (Barcelona), Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid), Marc Pubill (Atletico Madrid)
Midfielders: Gavi (Barcelona), Rodri (Manchester City), Pedri (Barcelona), Martin 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), Victor Munoz (Osasuna)
