Spain names World Cup 2026 squad with no Real Madrid players; Lamine Yamal headlines
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente named a 26-player World Cup squad headlined by Lamine Yamal and featuring no Real Madrid players, the first time in modern Spanish World Cup history. Spain opens Group H against Cape Verde on June 15 in Atlanta.
MADRID — Spain coach Luis de la Fuente named his 26-player squad Monday for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a roster headlined by 18-year-old forward Lamine Yamal but notably devoid of any players from Real Madrid — a first in modern Spanish World Cup history.
The most prominent Real Madrid omissions are defenders Dani Carvajal and Dean Huijsen, neither of whom made the federation's 55-player provisional long list. Atlético Madrid defender Robin Le Normand also missed the final cut, and Barcelona midfielder Fermín López is unavailable after suffering a broken foot.
Spain enters the tournament among the favorites after winning Euro 2024 in convincing fashion, a recovery from its round-of-16 exit at the 2022 World Cup. La Roja open Group H on June 15 against Cape Verde in Atlanta, followed by group-stage matches against Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.
De la Fuente said he was not concerned by recent fitness questions surrounding Yamal, Nico Williams and Mikel Merino, and that the team's medical staff had been coordinating directly with the players' clubs. He said he had no doubt the three would be available for the opener, though the second match remained the fallback target if needed.
The goalkeeper trio is Unai Simón of Athletic Club, David Raya of Arsenal and Joan García of Barcelona. Real Sociedad's Álex Remiro was left off the list. The back line includes Marc Cucurella, Alejandro Grimaldo, Pau Cubarsí, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Pubill, Eric García, Marcos Llorente and Pedro Porro.
Midfield options are Pedri, Fabián Ruíz, Martín Zubimendi, Gavi, Rodri, Álex Baena and Merino. The forward line is anchored by Mikel Oyarzabal, Dani Olmo, Williams, Yéremy Pino, Ferran Torres, Borja Iglesías, Víctor Muñoz and Yamal.
De la Fuente also designated nine "support players," including Real Madrid's Gonzalo García and Barcelona's Marc Bernal, who will travel with the squad during training. Spain plays a pre-tournament friendly against Iraq in A Coruña on June 4 before facing Peru in Puebla, Mexico, on June 8.