Spain arrive at the tournament on the back of a stellar UEFA EURO 2024 campaign, in which they defeated England in the final to lift their fourth European crown. Their path to the World Cup proved equally smooth: they topped a qualifying group featuring Türkiye, Bulgaria, and Georgia, closing out the campaign with five wins, one draw, and no losses to secure a place at their seventeenth World Cup.
The squad is packed with talent, led by Barcelona phenomenon Lamine Yamal, who will feature in his first World Cup. Still recovering from injury, Yamal may miss Spain's opening two matches but is expected to be fit for the third group-stage fixture and any knockout rounds that follow. Sixteen members of the EURO 2024 squad have been retained, and De la Fuente will lean on established figures such as Mikel Oyarzabal, Pedri, Marc Cucurella, and captain Rodri. The 29-year-old Manchester City midfielder is also the most capped player in the group, with 61 international appearances. Notable inclusions are Atlético Madrid defender Marc Pubill, who is yet to make his senior debut, and Eric García, whose resurgence at Barcelona has earned him his first call-up since Qatar 2022. In goal, Joan García joins Unai Simón and David Raya.
Among those left out are Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen, Villarreal midfielder Alberto Moleiro, Real Betis attacker Pablo Fornals, and Barcelona winger Fermín López, who fractured his right foot last week. No Real Madrid players are included in the squad. "I don't look at where the players come from," De la Fuente said in response, to question about Real Madrid players in the national team. "They're national team players; I don't favor one club over another. I don't have the same local bias that a fan might. All I want is for these players to feel proud to represent the national team."
Spain have been drawn with Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay. La Roja open their campaign against Cape Verde on June 15 in Atlanta, Georgia, before facing Saudi Arabia at the same venue six days later. They close out the group stage on June 26 in Guadalajara, Mexico, against two-time champions Uruguay.
Spain 2026 World Cup Squad:
Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Club), David Raya (Arsenal), Joan Garcia (Barcelona)
Defenders: Marc Cucurella (Chelsea), Alex Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen), Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Club), Marc Pubill (Atletico Madrid), Eric Garcia (Barcelona), Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid), Pedro Porro (Tottenham)
Midfielders: Pedri (Barcelona), Fabian Ruiz (PSG), Martin Zubimendi (Arsenal), Gavi (Barcelona), Rodri (Manchester City), Alex Baena (Atletico Madrid), Mikel Merino (Arsenal)
Forwards: Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Nico Williams (Athletic Club), Yeremy Pino (Crystal Palace), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Borja Iglesias (Celta Vigo), Victor Munoz (Osasuna), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
