Spain national football team coach Luis de la Fuente has named a preliminary 55-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with FC Barcelona dominating the selection.
Barcelona contribute nine players to the list, compared to just three from Real Madrid CF, underlining the Catalan club’s strong influence on the national team setup.
Among the standout names is teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who continues to play a central role in Spain’s long-term plans despite his young age.
Dani Carvajal misses out on selection
One of the biggest talking points from the squad announcement is the absence of experienced Real Madrid full-back Dani Carvajal.
De la Fuente reportedly informed Carvajal in advance of the decision through a phone call, a move that suggests the veteran defender is not currently part of Spain’s immediate World Cup plans.
Carvajal has been a key figure for Spain when fit, making his omission a major surprise in the build-up to the tournament.
Barcelona’s growing influence under De la Fuente
The heavy Barcelona presence reflects the club’s increasing importance in Spain’s national team structure.
With nine players included, Barcelona are the most represented club in the squad, highlighting the strong form and depth of talent emerging from the Camp Nou setup.
New names added to the mix
The provisional squad also features several fresh faces, including Leo Roman of Real Mallorca, Victor Gomes of Sporting Braga, Real Sociedad duo Sergio Gomes and John Martin, Villarreal’s Alex Baena Molero, Deportivo Alavés striker Toni Martínez, and Aston Villa defender Pau Torres.
These inclusions indicate De la Fuente’s willingness to expand his options ahead of final squad selection.
Spain fine-tuning World Cup plans
Spain will continue to assess player fitness and form before trimming the squad down to its final World Cup selection.
With Barcelona players forming the backbone of the team, expectations are rising as Spain prepare for another serious push for global glory.
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