Spain’s World Cup Squad: De la Fuente’s Choices & Emerging Stars

Spain’s national football team has concluded its final preparatory friendlies on home soil, marking the end of an intense evaluation period before departing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Following matches against Serbia and Egypt, head coach Luis de la Fuente is finalizing the 26-man roster that will represent La Roja at the global tournament.

The general sentiment surrounding the squad remains positive, though the momentum shifted slightly after the recent fixtures. Spain secured a comfortable 3-0 victory against Serbia on March 27, 2026, reinforcing their status as favorites. However, the team faced a sterner test on March 31, 2026, at the RCDE Stadium, where they drew 0-0 against Egypt. While the footballing significance of these duels was limited, they served as critical auditions for players vying for spots in the final World Cup list.

De la Fuente utilized these matches to test various configurations, having introduced new faces in the squad announcement made approximately ten days prior. The selection process has seen the inclusion of emerging talents while excluding some veterans from the European Championship-winning squad of 2024. The coach surprised observers by calling up four new players in the penultimate list of 27, including Christian Mosquera, Ander Barrenetxea, Víctor Muñoz, and Barcelona goalkeeper Joan García.

Goalkeeper Hierarchy Established

The inclusion of Joan García as the fourth goalkeeper alongside Unai Simón, David Raya, and Álex Remiro sparked discussion regarding the starting position. De la Fuente addressed questions about the Barcelona shot-stopper during the press conference, stating that now was the right time for his inclusion. Despite the call-up, the coaching staff sent a clear message regarding the hierarchy. Unai Simón started the match against Serbia, confirming his status as the undisputed number one for the tournament.

The defensive line against Serbia closely resembled the projected starting XI for Spain’s World Cup opener, scheduled for June 15, 2026, against Cape Verde. The center-back pairing of Cubarsí and Laporte appears set to lead the defense. Marc Cucurella has solidified his role on the left flank, establishing himself as one of the premier players in the world at his position. The right-back position remains more competitive, with Llorente starting against Serbia due to his versatility, though Pedro Porro is also contending for the role depending on the opponent.

Notably, Dani Carvajal is not currently part of the selector’s plans. The Real Madrid defender, now playing for Leganés, has seen limited minutes under manager Álvaro Arbeloa. Compounding the issue is a recovery from a serious knee injury sustained at the start of the previous campaign, which has hindered his match fitness. At 34 years old, his absence from the core plans reflects the team’s shift toward players with consistent competitive rhythm.

Midfield and Attack Dynamics

In contrast to Carvajal, Rodrigo Hernández has successfully returned to the fold. Like his former teammate, Rodri suffered a serious knee injury last season but has gradually regained his status as a reference point for Manchester City under Pep Guardiola. De la Fuente has confirmed that the Spanish Ballon d’Or winner will be an undisputed starter in midfield alongside Pedri. The Barcelona midfielder remains a pivotal figure, with his superior quality and vision marking him as a difference-maker in every match.

Lamine Yamal is another certainties in the squad. The franchise player for both Barcelona and the national team will turn 19 during the World Cup if Spain progresses deep into the tournament, replicating his impact from Euro 2024. On the left wing, Nico Williams previously held the position but has been absent from call-ups since September due to pubalgia issues affecting his continuity and performance at Athletic Club. In his absence, players like Baena have been tested.

Víctor Muñoz emerged as a standout discovery during this international break. Debuting against Serbia at the Estadio de la Cerámica, Muñoz scored a goal and demonstrated the attacking versatility that caught the coach’s eye. Capable of playing on either wing, as an attacking midfielder, or as a striker, he has strengthened his case for the final list. In the attacking midfield role, Fermín López is gaining ground while Mikel Merino recovers from injury. Fabián Ruiz, despite being a regular for PSG, has also missed recent plans due to physical problems but remains a candidate for the final squad.

Up front, Mikel Oyarzabal has secured the starting striker role through merit, growing in importance with each call-up. He has effectively displaced Álvaro Morata, whose participation in the World Cup now appears complicated. During the match against Egypt, De la Fuente demonstrated the depth at his disposal, fielding a rotated side that included David Raya in goal, who allowed Joan García to debut in the second half. The defense featured a new pairing of Huijsen and Mosquera, while the midfield saw Fornals and Carlos Soler take the reins.

The match against Egypt, a fellow World Cup participant, did not produce significant footballing highlights and raised some questions regarding effectiveness. However, it served as a vital testing ground for alternatives and rotation strategies. With the squad selection nearly complete and the tournament approaching, the countdown for Spain’s campaign has officially begun.