Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has named his 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, with the European champions heading to North America among the favourites to lift the trophy.
La Roja are aiming to win the competition for only the second time in their history, having previously triumphed in 2010.
There had been injury concerns surrounding several key players in the build-up to the tournament, with Mikel Merino, Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal all recovering from recent fitness issues.
Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez has missed out entirely after suffering a metatarsal fracture.
Gavi returns as Huijsen misses out
One of the major talking points from De la Fuente’s selection is the inclusion of Gavi, who has barely featured for Spain since suffering a serious knee injury in 2023.
The Barcelona midfielder played just one minute during last summer’s Nations League semi-finals but has now been brought back into the squad for the World Cup.
Barcelona team-mates Eric Garcia and Joan Garcia have also been included, while Atletico Madrid defender Marc Pubill earns a place after an impressive breakthrough campaign.
Further forward, veteran striker Borja Iglesias has been selected to offer Spain a more physical attacking option, while Osasuna forward Victor Munoz keeps his place after impressing during the March international break.
No Real Madrid players included
The most notable omission is Dean Huijsen, with the Real Madrid defender left out despite strong performances this season.
According to reports in Spain, it means the national team will head to a World Cup without a Real Madrid player in the squad for the first time ever.
Goalkeeper Alex Remiro also misses out, with Joan Garcia preferred as De la Fuente’s third-choice keeper.
The absence of Huijsen, Dani Carvajal and Alvaro Morata means three players who started the Euro 2024 final are not part of the squad.
Support players named for training camp
De la Fuente has also confirmed nine additional players will train with the squad before they travel to the United States.
Those players could be drafted into the final squad if injuries occur before the tournament begins.
The support group includes Marc Bernal, Javi Rodriguez, Jesus Rodriguez, Leo Roman, Gonzalo Garcia, Sergio Gomez, Jon Martin, Benat Turrientes and Javi Guerra.
Spain’s World Cup squad in full
Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Club), David Raya (Arsenal), Joan Garcia (Barcelona)
Defenders: Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid), Pedro Porro (Tottenham), Eric Garcia (Barcelona), Marc Pubill (Atletico Madrid), Aymeric Laporte (Al Nassr), Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea), Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen)
Midfielders: Pedri (Barcelona), Fabian Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain), Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad), Gavi (Barcelona), Rodri Hernandez (Manchester City), Alex Baena (Villarreal), Mikel Merino (Arsenal)
Forwards: Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Nico Williams (Athletic Club), Yeremy Pino (Villarreal), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Borja Iglesias (Celta Vigo), Victor Munoz (Osasuna), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
