Spain will compete in the World Cup without a single Real Madrid player for the first time in their history, after Luis de la Fuente named his 26-man squad on Monday. Barcelona's Lamine Yamal was included despite tearing his left hamstring on 22 April, which ended his La Liga season.
De la Fuente said he had "no doubt" about the availability of Yamal and others carrying fitness concerns, including Nico Williams and Mikel Merino. "We're very calm," he said. "The doctor and fitness coach have been visiting the clubs... I have no doubt they'll be ready for the first game, and if not, they'll be ready for the second."
Notable omissions include Dean Huijsen, Dani Carvajal, Gonzalo García, Fermín López, and former captain Álvaro Morata, who led Spain to Euro 2024 glory. De la Fuente insisted choices were based on tactical needs: "I don't look at whether they play for one team or another."
Spain, ranked second in the world, open their campaign against Cape Verde on 15 June in Atlanta, followed by Saudi Arabia and Uruguay. They will play friendlies against Iraq and Peru, and will aim to improve on their last-16 exit at the 2022 World Cup.
