Spain Leave Out Real Madrid Stars As De La Fuente Names World Cup Squad

• Spain boss Luis de la Fuente selected a 26-man World Cup squad without a single Real Madrid player
• Lamine Yamal was included despite fitness concerns ahead of Spain’s opening game against Cape Verde
• Dean Huijsen, Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand were among the notable omissions

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has named his 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, with teenage sensation Lamine Yamal included but no place for any Real Madrid player.

The squad announcement in Madrid underlined the transition underway within the Spain setup as De la Fuente backed the core of the group that won Euro 2024, while leaving out several established names ahead of this summer’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Spain open their campaign against Cape Verde on June 15 before facing Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in Group H.

There had been concerns surrounding the fitness of Yamal, Nico Williams and Mikel Merino after injury issues late in the season, but De la Fuente insisted he was relaxed about the situation.

“We’re very calm,” he 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.”

Spain’s squad features a strong Barcelona influence, particularly in midfield and attack, with Yamal, Pedri, Gavi, Ferran Torres, Eric García and Pau Cubarsí all included.

Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya joins Unai Simón and Joan García as the three goalkeepers selected, while Rodri returns as the central figure in midfield after another dominant season for Manchester City.

The forward line includes Mikel Oyarzabal, Dani Olmo, Williams, Yéremy Pino, Borja Iglesias and Yamal, with De la Fuente again favouring mobility and technical quality over physical presence.

The biggest talking point, though, was the complete absence of Real Madrid representation.

Defender Dani Carvajal and Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen had not even been included in Spain’s provisional 55-man long list, while Atlético Madrid defender Robin Le Normand was also left out.

Barcelona midfielder Fermín López missed out after suffering a broken foot.

“It’s difficult,” De la Fuente said when asked about leaving players out.

“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 confirmed that nine additional “support players” would train with the squad before the tournament begins, including Real Madrid youngster Gonzalo García and Barcelona midfielder Marc Bernal.

Spain will play warm-up matches against Iraq in A Coruña on June 4 and Peru in Puebla, Mexico, four days later before heading into the tournament.

Despite leaving out experienced figures, De la Fuente paid tribute to Carvajal and former captain Álvaro Morata, both of whom played key roles during Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph.

“They’ve left an unforgettable legacy of leadership,” he said.

“But the generation behind them are perfectly prepared, they’re cut from the same cloth.”

Spain travel to the World Cup carrying expectation again. After the disappointment of their last-16 exit in Qatar four years ago, the feeling around this group is very different now.

There is youth, energy and confidence. And with Yamal at the centre of it all, Spain believe they have another team capable of winning the biggest prize in football.