Lamine Yamal headlines Spain’s squad for the 2026 World Cup unveiled by coach Luis de la Fuente on Monday, with Mikel Merino also included after recently recovering from injury.
For the first time in World Cup history, Spain’s squad does not include a Real Madrid player, with Dean Huijsen omitted and veteran Dani Carvajal left out following an injury-plagued season.
Merino, regarded as one of De la Fuente’s trusted players, came off the bench for Arsenal against Crystal Palace on Sunday in the club’s final Premier League fixture. It marked his first appearance since January after recovering from a fractured foot.
De la Fuente also selected defenders Eric Garcia and Marc Pubill following strong campaigns with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid respectively, while opting against calling up Huijsen and Atletico defender Robin Le Normand.
Alongside teenage Barcelona sensation Yamal, Nico Williams of Athletic Bilbao — influential in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph — retains his place despite a campaign heavily affected by fitness problems.
Yamal, 18, remains uncertain for the opening matches of the tournament after sustaining a hamstring injury with Barcelona that has sidelined him since late April.
SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), David Raya (Arsenal/ENG), Joan Garcia (Barcelona)
Defenders: Marcos Llorente, Marc Pubill (Atletico Madrid), Pedro Porro (Tottenham Hotspur/ENG), Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Bilbao), Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea/ENG), Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen/GER)
Midfielders: Rodri (Manchester City/ENG), Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino (Arsenal/ENG), Pedri, Gavi (Barcelona), Fabian Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Alex Baena (Atletico Madrid)
Forwards: Yeremy Pino (Crystal Palace/ENG), Victor Munoz (Osasuna), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Ferran Torres, Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Borja Iglesias (Celta Vigo)
