Spain unveil FIFA World Cup 2026 squad; Real Madrid left without representation
Madrid, May 25
Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente announced his 26-man squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Monday, with teenage sensation Lamine Yamal headlining the selections and no players from Real Madrid making the final cut.
It marks the first time in Spain's history that a World Cup squad has been named without a single Real Madrid player, underlining the shift in the national team's core following their Euro 2024 triumph.
Despite concerns over the fitness of the 18-year-old Yamal, Nico Williams, and Mikel Merino, De la Fuente expressed confidence that all three would be available for Spain's opening Group H clash against Cape Verde on June 15 in Atlanta.
"We're very calm. I have no doubt they'll be ready for the first game," De la Fuente said during the squad announcement event in Madrid, as per ESPN.
Spain enter the tournament among the favourites after their dominant Euro 2024 campaign, hoping to improve on their disappointing round-of-16 exit at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. They will also face Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in the group stage.
The squad features a strong Barcelona influence, with Yamal, Pedri, Gavi, Dani Olmo, Pau Cubarsi, and Ferran Torres all included. Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya and Manchester City midfielder Rodri also retained their places.
Among the notable omissions are defender Dean Huijsen, veteran full-back Dani Carvajal and Atletico Madrid centre-back Robin Le Normand. Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez misses out due to a broken foot.
De la Fuente paid tribute to Carvajal and former captain Alvaro Morata, praising their leadership during Spain's recent success.
"They've left an unforgettable legacy," he said. "But the generation behind them are perfectly prepared."
Spain will play warm-up matches against Iraq and Peru before beginning their World Cup campaign in the United States.
Spain squad for 2026 World Cup
Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Club), David Raya (Arsenal), Joan Garcia (Barcelona)
Defenders: Marc Cucurella (Chelsea), Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Club), Alex Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen), Pedro Porro (Tottenham Hotspur), 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).
— ANI
Reader Comments
It's interesting to see a World Cup squad without Real Madrid players. While I'm not a huge football expert, the article says Spain won Euro 2024, so maybe this new generation is really good. Just hope they don't miss the experience of players like Carvajal in high-pressure games.
Wow, no Real Madrid players in the Spain squad? That's a bold move by De la Fuente! But if they won Euro 2024 with this core, who am I to question it? The Barcelona players are clearly performing well internationally. Let's see if this pays off at the World Cup. Spain vs Saudi Arabia will be an interesting group match! 🇮🇳⚽
This is a historic moment in Spanish football. Not having any Real Madrid player shows that the national team is moving beyond club rivalries and focusing on form. However, I wonder if this is a short-term experiment. The omission of Carvajal and Morata, despite their legacy, feels a bit harsh. But if Spain wins the World Cup, everyone will call it genius. 🤔
As someone who follows European football casually, this is a big deal. Real Madrid has always been the backbone of Spain's national team. But the new generation looks talented. I hope Yamal's fitness holds up—he's only 18 but already so crucial. Spain's group with Saudi Arabia will be interesting to watch from an Indian perspective because of the Asian connection.
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