Spain FIFA World Cup 2026 Squad: Injured Yamal & Williams Included, No Real Madrid Player For First Time

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente named his World Cup squad on Monday, keeping injured forwards Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams. Both have muscle issues from late in the season, but De la Fuente said he expects them to be ready for Spain's World Cup opener against Cape Verde.

Spain will compete in Group H. It faces Cape Verde on June 15 in Atlanta. It then meets Saudi Arabia on June 21, also in Atlanta. The final group match is against Uruguay on June 26 in Guadalajara, Mexico.

For the first time, no Real Madrid player is in a Spain World Cup squad. Defender Dean Huijsen, considered a contender, was left out. Barcelona midfielder Fermín López also misses out after a right foot fracture earlier this month.

Midfielder Mikel Merino returns after a long layoff. He had played only once for Arsenal since a foot injury in January. Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Fabián Ruiz is also included, despite a recent injury. Spain's preparations begin on Saturday ahead of the tournament.

La Roja will play two warm-up matches. It faces Iraq on June 4. Then it plays Peru on June 9. Spain is coming from a round-of-16 exit to Morocco at the 2022 World Cup, followed by a trophy run at Euro 2024 in Germany.

Spain also lifted the 2023 Nations League title. It finished runner-up to Portugal in the 2025 edition. Spain has not passed the last 16 at a World Cup since its only title win in 2010, increasing focus on this campaign.

The 26-player squad covers three goalkeepers, nine defenders, seven midfielders, and seven forwards. Several Barcelona players feature, including Pedri, Gavi, Yamal, and Ferran Torres. Athletic Bilbao provides goalkeeper Unai Simón and forward Nico Williams for the tournament in North America.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Spain's 26-man Squad