Lamine Yamal will lead the star-studded Spain’s 2026 World Cup squad, which was announced by coach Luis de la Fuente on Monday and includes Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino, who has recently returned from injury.
For the first time in a World Cup, Spain’s roster will be devoid of a Real Madrid player, with Dean Huijsen and veteran Dani Carvajal both out due to injuries.
Merino, a favorite of coach De la Fuente, came on as a substitute for the Gunners in their last Premier League encounter against Crystal Palace on Sunday, his first game since a foot fracture in January.
De La Fuente also called up defenders Eric Garcia and Marc Pubill following successful seasons at Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, respectively, while leaving out Huijsen and Atletico’s Robin Le Normand.
Along with 18-year-old Barcelona prodigy Yamal, Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams helped Spain win Euro 2024, and he is in the squad despite a season marred by fitness difficulties.
Yamal is a doubt for the tournament’s first matches after suffering a hamstring injury with Barcelona in late April.
The winger is one of eight Barcelona players on the squad, which also includes midfielders Gavi and Pedri, as well as goalkeeper Joan Garcia.
“We’re coordinating with the medical departments of all the clubs,” De la Fuente told reporters.
“The reports that we have say all the players will be ready for the first game or the second.”
Gavi returned from a lengthy absence in March due to a major knee injury and has impressed for Barcelona in the latter weeks of the season.
Yamal shared a video on social media showing Gavi’s passionate reaction to the squad news, which included loud celebrations during a gym session with Barca.
“That shows the human quality this group of players have… one of our strengths, and that’s just as important as what they do on the pitch,” said De la Fuente.
“I’m glad he got emotional, because we know how much this means to him.”
When asked about not calling up any Real Madrid players for the competition, De la Fuente stated that it had no bearing on his decision-making.
“Luckily, I’m the national team coach, and I don’t look at where the players come from,” explained the coach.
“They’re national team players… I don’t look at one club or another. I don’t have that local bias a fan might have; for me it’s more global…
“The only thing I want is for these footballers to feel proud of representing the national team.”
Spain’s World Cup campaign begins on June 15 against Cape Verde in Group H, followed by matches against Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.
Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), David Raya (Arsenal/ENG), Joan Garcia (Barcelona)
Defenders: Marcos Llorente, Marc Pubill (Atlético Madrid), Pedro Porro (Tottenham/ENG), Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Bilbao), Eric García, Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea/ENG), Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen/GER)
Midfielders: Rodri (Manchester City/ENG), Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino (Arsenal/ENG), Pedri, Gavi (Barcelona), Fabian Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Alex Baena (Atletico Madrid)
Forwards: Yeremy Pino (Crystal Palace/ENG), Victor Munoz (Osasuna), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Ferran Torres, Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Borja Iglesias (Celta Vigo)
