For the first time in 76 years, the Spanish national football team is set to compete in a FIFA World Cup without a single player from Real Madrid. The squad, announced by Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente for the upcoming 2026 tournament, marks a significant historical shift, as the last time this occurred was in 1950. In stark contrast, eight players from arch-rivals Barcelona have been included in the 26-man roster.
This notable exclusion from the squad follows a period where Real Madrid did not secure any major trophies, a rare occurrence for the club. Key figures like veteran defender Dani Carvajal, a multiple Champions League winner, and promising younger talents such as Dean Huijsen, were not even considered in the preliminary selection process, signaling a clear shift in the national team’s direction.
The strong contingent from Barcelona is expected to play a crucial role as Spain aims for its second World Cup title, building on their historic victory in 2010 in South Africa. The Barcelona players selected for the national team include promising talents like Joan Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, Gavi, Pedri, Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal, and Ferran Torres, reflecting a reliance on the club’s youth academy products.
Beyond the domestic giants, the squad also features a notable presence of seven players from the English Premier League, underscoring the perceived strength and competitiveness of the league this season. Coach Luis de la Fuente has publicly affirmed that his selection philosophy is not dictated by club affiliation but rather by a player’s individual performance and consistent improvement throughout the season, emphasizing meritocracy in his choices.
Among the Premier League contingent, Arsenal contributes three players, including goalkeeper David Raya and midfielders Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino. Manchester City’s influential midfielder Rodri is also a key inclusion, expected to be central to De La Fuente’s tactical setup. The full 26-player Spanish national team squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), David Raya (Arsenal), Joan Garcia (Barcelona)
Defenders: Pedro Porro (Tottenham Hotspur), Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid), Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Marc Pubill (Atletico Madrid), Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Bilbao), Eric Garcia (Barcelona), Alex Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea)
Midfielders: Rodri (Manchester City), Martin Zubimendi (Arsenal), Gavi (Barcelona), Pedri (Barcelona), Fabian Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain), Mikel Merino (Arsenal), Alex Baena (Atletico Madrid)
Forwards: Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Yeremy Pino (Crystal Palace), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Victor Munoz (Osasuna), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Borja Iglesias (Celta Vigo).
