No Real Madrid Players in Spain’s 2026 World Cup Squad

Spain’s 2026 World Cup Roster Announced

According to Главком: Spain’s head coach Luis de la Fuente has unveiled the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, notably excluding any players from Real Madrid. The roster includes 17 footballers currently playing for Spanish clubs. Spain will compete in Group H alongside Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay. Their opening match is set for June 15 in Atlanta, where they will face Cape Verde.

Team Lineup and Coach’s Remarks

The final squad features the following goalkeepers:

• Unai Simón (Athletic Club)
• David Raya (Arsenal)
• Joan García (Barcelona)

Defenders selected include:

• Pedro Porro (Tottenham)
• Marcos Llorente (Atlético Madrid)
• Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Club)

The midfielders called up are:

• Rodri (Manchester City)
• Martín Zubimendi (Arsenal)
• Gavi (Barcelona)

Forwards in the lineup include:

• Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad)
• Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
• Ferran Torres (Barcelona)

“I don’t look at where players come from. I’m not a fan of localism, which some fans might be. It doesn’t matter to me. I can’t give advice to anyone; I just ask players to feel the colors of this country, which they do.”

Luis de la Fuente

In related news, Argentina has also released a preliminary 55-player squad for the 2026 World Cup, though Paulo Dybala was left out. Meanwhile, Dick Advocaat has returned as head coach of Curaçao, a team he previously led to the World Cup. As these developments unfold, attention on the 2026 tournament intensifies, and Spain is aiming for a strong performance in their group.

The absence of Real Madrid players from the squad may signal a shift in the coach’s team-building approach, potentially affecting team morale and their chances in the competition. Spain’s roster includes experienced players who could be key in the group stage matches. Time will tell how effectively the team can harness its potential in the fight to advance to the World Cup knockout rounds.

As Spain prepares for the World Cup, the absence of Real Madrid players raises questions about the coach's strategy. In a similar vein, France has also made surprising exclusions from their squad, including notable talents like Eduardo Camavinga and Randal Kolo Muani. These choices may reflect a broader trend in national team selections as coaches prioritize different criteria for player inclusion.