Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has revealed his 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and one thing immediately stands out from the selection not a single Real Madrid player has made the list.
For a national team that has traditionally featured stars from both Spain’s biggest clubs, the complete absence of Madrid representation has already sparked debate among supporters. Instead, Barcelona players form a huge part of the squad, with several of the club’s key names included after strong seasons in La Liga.
The headline news for many fans is the return of Gavi. After spending months recovering from a serious injury, the Barcelona midfielder is back in the national team setup and appears ready to play a major role at the tournament.
Joan Garcia has also earned selection following an impressive campaign between the posts, while Eric Garcia’s solid performances in defence have been rewarded as well.
There are NO Real Madrid players in Spain's World Cup squad for the first time ever 😮❌⚪️
Dani Carvajal and Dean Huijsen are two of the big names who did not make Luis de la Fuente's 26-man squad 😬 pic.twitter.com/RgSmST990n
— OneFootball (@OneFootball) May 25, 2026
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Luis de la Fuente’s squad selection gives a clear idea of the style Spain want to play this summer. Technical midfielders, energetic wide players, and defenders comfortable in possession remain at the heart of the team.
Here is Spain’s full 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup:
Goalkeepers: Unai Simon, David Raya, Joan Garcia
Defenders: Marc Cucurella, Alejandro Grimaldo, Pau Cubarsi, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Pubill, Eric Garcia, Marcos Llorente, Pedro Porro
Midfielders: Pedri, Fabian Ruiz, Martin Zubimendi, Gavi, Rodri, Alex Baena, Mikel Merino
Forwards: Mikel Oyarzabal, Dani Olmo, Nico Williams, Yeremy Pino, Ferran Torres, Borja Iglesias, Victor Munoz, Lamine Yamal
The squad combines experienced international players with younger stars who are already becoming central figures for Spain. Rodri is expected to anchor the midfield once again, while Pedri and Gavi bring creativity and energy in central areas.
In attack, Spain will rely heavily on the pace and unpredictability of Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal. However, Yamal may not be fully available at the start of the competition. Reports suggest the teenager could miss Spain’s first two matches while recovering from a hamstring injury before potentially returning against Uruguay in the final group game.
Spain will play warm-up friendlies against Iraq and Peru before beginning their World Cup campaign on June 15 against Cape Verde in Atlanta. Their second group-stage match comes against Saudi Arabia on June 21, also in Atlanta, before they travel to Guadalajara to face Uruguay on June 26.
Even with the conversation around the missing Real Madrid players, Spain still look like one of the most technically gifted squads heading into the tournament. The midfield depth alone gives them control and flexibility, while the younger attackers add a level of unpredictability that could trouble any defence.
Now the focus shifts from squad announcements to performances on the pitch. With a core heavily influenced by Barcelona players and a manager fully committed to possession-based football, Spain will believe they have the tools to challenge deep into the World Cup once again.
