MADRID – In a high-stakes announcement that has shaken up European football ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente unveiled his 26-man squad for the upcoming tournament on Monday, making the controversial call to include injured star forwards Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams despite their late-season muscle issues.
De la Fuente made clear in post-announcement comments that he remains confident both attackers will be fully match-fit by the time Spain kicks off its Group H campaign. The Spanish side will open its World Cup run against Cape Verde on June 15 in Atlanta, Georgia, before facing Saudi Arabia in the same city on June 21, and wrapping up group play against Uruguay on June 26 in Guadalajara, Mexico.
One of the most notable surprises in the squad selection is a historic first for Spanish football: for the first time in the nation’s World Cup history, no Real Madrid players have earned a call-up. Young defender Dean Huijsen, one of the last hopefuls fighting for a spot, was ultimately cut from the final roster by de la Fuente.
Several other high-profile absences were confirmed, as expected. Promising Barcelona midfielder Fermín López was ruled out after sustaining a right foot fracture earlier this month, ending his hopes of a first World Cup appearance. In welcome return news, however, Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino – who has only featured once for the Premier League side since suffering a foot injury in January – has earned his place back in the national squad. Paris Saint-Germain playmaker Fabián Ruiz also secured a spot despite picking up a recent minor injury.
Spain’s pre-tournament preparations are scheduled to get underway this coming Saturday, with two warm-up friendly matches scheduled before the World Cup kicks off: against Iraq on June 4, followed by a clash with Peru on June 5.
In recent years, Spain has emerged as one of the most consistent top performers in international men’s football, bouncing back from a disappointing 2022 World Cup round-of-16 exit at the hands of Morocco to claim the 2024 European Championship title in Germany. The side also lifted the 2023 UEFA Nations League trophy, and finished as runners-up behind Portugal in the 2025 edition of that competition. Even with this recent form, however, Spain has not advanced past the round of 16 at the World Cup since claiming its only tournament title in 2010, creating extra pressure for the side to break that drought in 2026.
The full 2026 Spain World Cup squad is as follows:
– Goalkeepers: Unai Simón (Athletic Bilbao), David Raya (Arsenal), Joan García (Barcelona)
– Defenders: Marc Cucurella (Chelsea), Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen), Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid), Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona), Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Bilbao), Pedro Porro (Tottenham), Eric García (Barcelona), Marc Pubill (Atletico Madrid)
– Midfielders: Rodri (Manchester City), Martín Zubimendi (Arsenal), Pedri (Barcelona), Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Mikel Merino (Arsenal), Fabián Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain), Gavi (Barcelona)
– Forwards: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Yéremi Pino (Crystal Palace), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Víctor Muñoz (Osasuna), Alex Baena (Atletico Madrid), Borja Iglesias (Celta Vigo), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao)