Del Bosque Names Preliminary Spain Squad for Brazil 2014 – Arbeloa Omitted
Spain’s head coach Vicente Del Bosque has announced his preliminary 30-man squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Brazil, with a notable absentee sparking considerable debate. Real Madrid defender Álvaro Arbeloa has been left out of the provisional list, a decision that has raised eyebrows across Spain.
The omission of Arbeloa, a World Cup and two-time European Championship winner, comes as a surprise given his experience and past contributions to La Roja’s historic successes. His absence is particularly significant given the continued inclusion of many of his Real Madrid teammates, underlining a potential shift in the defensive preferences of Del Bosque ahead of the summer tournament.
As expected, the core of Spain’s squad is drawn from the nation’s top clubs. FC Barcelona once again provides a strong contingent with four players: Gerard Piqué, Jordi Alba, Xavi Hernández, and Cesc Fàbregas. Both Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid also have four representatives each, reflecting the dominance of Spain’s top three clubs in domestic and European competitions.
Goalkeepers
Veteran Iker Casillas headlines the goalkeeping trio, maintaining his place despite limited game time at Real Madrid this season. He is joined by Pepe Reina, currently at Napoli, and Manchester United’s David De Gea, who continues his steady rise on the international scene.
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Iker Casillas (Real Madrid)
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Pepe Reina (Napoli, Italy)
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David De Gea (Manchester United, England)
Defenders
In defence, Sergio Ramos and Gerard Piqué provide a familiar central pairing. They are supported by versatile options such as Javi Martínez (Bayern Munich) and Raul Albiol (Napoli). The full-back positions are bolstered by the likes of Jordi Alba and César Azpilicueta, while Real Madrid’s Dani Carvajal earns a call-up following an impressive season.
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Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)
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Gerard Piqué (FC Barcelona)
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Raul Albiol (Napoli, Italy)
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Javi Martínez (Bayern Munich, Germany)
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Juanfran (Atlético Madrid)
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Jordi Alba (FC Barcelona)
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Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid)
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César Azpilicueta (Chelsea, England)
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Alberto Moreno (Sevilla FC)
Midfielders
Spain’s midfield remains its greatest strength, boasting creativity and technical prowess. Veterans like Xavi and Fàbregas are joined by Premier League playmakers Juan Mata and David Silva. Thiago Alcântara, though recovering from injury, is included, reflecting Del Bosque’s faith in his ability to contribute.
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Xavi Hernández (FC Barcelona)
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Cesc Fàbregas (FC Barcelona)
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Thiago Alcântara (Bayern Munich, Germany)
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Juan Mata (Manchester United, England)
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David Silva (Manchester City, England)
Forwards
In attack, Atlético Madrid’s Diego Costa makes the list despite fitness concerns, signaling Del Bosque’s confidence in his striker’s recovery. He is joined by fellow Atléti forward David Villa, Spain’s all-time leading goal scorer. The attack is rounded out by experienced internationals including Fernando Torres, Pedro Rodríguez, and Álvaro Negredo.
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Pedro Rodríguez (FC Barcelona)
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Jesús Navas (Manchester City, England)
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Diego Costa (Atlético Madrid)
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David Villa (Atlético Madrid)
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Fernando Torres (Chelsea, England)
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Álvaro Negredo (Manchester City, England)
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Fernando Llorente (Juventus, Italy)
While this preliminary squad will be trimmed to the final 23 in the coming weeks, it already offers a clear picture of Spain’s strategy: experience blended with emerging talent, and a strong emphasis on continuity from the side that dominated world football from 2008 to 2012.
The final squad announcement is expected to bring further scrutiny, especially regarding the condition of key players such as Diego Costa and Thiago Alcântara. For now, the focus remains on preparation, as Spain aims to defend their title and achieve back-to-back World Cup victories.
