Key Takeaways:
- Luis de la Fuente unveiled a 26-man Spain squad dominated by Barcelona players and, notably, no Real Madrid representatives for next month’s World Cup
- Spain’s squad includes eight Barcelona players
- Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, and Mikel Merino are working towards full fitness, and De la Fuente expressed optimism they will be available for Spain’s Group H opener against Cape Verde
Selection Emphasises National Pride Over Club Loyalties
Luis de la Fuente asserted on Tuesday that representing Spain outweighs any club commitment, as he revealed a World Cup squad showcasing significant Barcelona influence and, for the first time, no Real Madrid players. The 26-man list, which is constructed around eight Barcelona footballers, excludes notable Real Madrid names such as Dean Huijsen and Dani Carvajal. This selection has intensified the traditional El Clasico debate within the context of the national team ahead of the forthcoming tournament.
🚨🗣️ Luis de la Fuente (Spain national team head coach) on the absence of Real Madrid players in his squad:
"I don't look at any player's club: I only look at whether they have the possibility of playing with us."
"I don't look at whether they come from one team or another, I… pic.twitter.com/yVF2PqqDTj
— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) May 25, 2026
Spain, reigning European champions, approach next month’s World Cup considered among the favourites, seeking their second triumph following their 2010 success in South Africa. De la Fuente made it clear that his priority remains the national squad and stressed that neither club background nor player origins influence his choices.
“For me, the greatest team there is – the very greatest – is the Spanish national team,” De la Fuente said during a breakfast with media representatives organised by Spanish public broadcaster RTVE and news agency EFE.
“I don’t look at where players come from or their background. What matters are Spanish players who are proud to represent their country’s national team and to be part of a united nation.”
Squad Breakdown: Emphasis on Barcelona and Premier League Talent
The Barcelona contingent is comprised of Joan Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, Gavi, Pedri, Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal, and Ferran Torres. In addition, seven squad members ply their trade in the English Premier League. De la Fuente highlighted that his decisions were shaped purely by sporting criteria, although acknowledging that subjectivity plays a natural role in selection processes.
“The day I make a mistake, fail to make the right choice, or act in a way that might be beneficial just to get a result, I’m putting my job on the line,” he said.
Fitness Updates and Group Stage Outlook
Spain commence their World Cup campaign in Group H, taking on Cape Verde before matches against Saudi Arabia and Uruguay. However, De la Fuente indicated he could adopt a measured approach regarding Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, and Mikel Merino, each of whom is on the path to recovery from recent injuries.
“We’re in contact with all the clubs,” he said. “We know that these players are in good physical shape; each one is making good progress in their recovery process. I’m very optimistic; I think they’ll be available for the first match.”
Nevertheless, De la Fuente made clear that Spain’s plans extend beyond the immediate fixture.
“If we have to take a risk, mate, we’ll take it in a World Cup,” he said. “But… our view goes beyond the first match and also the second. So, if we have to wait a little longer, we’ll wait.”
Lamine Yamal’s Role and Manager’s Faith
De la Fuente expects Lamine Yamal, the dynamic 18-year-old Barcelona winger, to play a central role in Spain’s attack. He emphasised Yamal’s exceptional maturity and readiness for the occasion.
“Yamal is absolutely thrilled and raring to go,” he said. “He’s a very young lad, just 18, but he has a remarkable sense of maturity and knows that this is his moment.
“You have to seize the moment. And he knows this is his moment.”
