Luis de la Fuente's 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup marks a historic shift: for the first time ever, Spain will head to the tournament without a single Real Madrid player. The omission of any Merengues talent from a major tournament list is unprecedented, breaking a tradition that has seen the club provide key figures across multiple generations, from Alfredo Di Stéfano to Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos.
Notable absentees include veteran right-back Dani Carvajal, young center-back Dean Huijsen, and forward Gonzalo García. While Carvajal has been a mainstay at the back for years and a Champions League winner, he appears to have fallen out of favor due to either form or fitness concerns. Huijsen, who joined Real Madrid with high expectations after a breakout at Roma, misses out despite a solid campaign. His exclusion raises eyebrows, given his versatility and potential. García, a promising forward, also finds himself on the outside looking in.
In contrast, Barcelona's Lamine Yamal, just 18, is included despite tearing his left hamstring on April 22. The injury ruled him out of Barcelona's remaining La Liga fixtures, but De la Fuente is bullish about his recovery. "We're very calm," the coach stated. "I think that if there are no setbacks, we can almost have everyone available from the first game. The doctor and fitness coach have been visiting the clubs and talking to them. We've been coordinating ... I have no doubt they'll be ready for the first game, and if not, they'll be ready for the second."
Yamal isn't the only fitness concern. Athletic Club's Nico Williams and Arsenal's Mikel Merino are also managing issues, but De la Fuente expects both to be fit. The coach acknowledged the difficulty of leaving out established names, saying, "It's difficult. We think about every possible scenario that can happen in games with our opponents, and their characteristics ... We've chosen these 26. I think we've covered the needs of the team ... I don't look at whether they play for one team or another."
The squad is heavily Barcelona-influenced, with players like Gavi, Pedri, Pau Cubarsí, Eric García, Dani Olmo, and Ferran Torres all named. Arsenal's David Raya and Mikel Merino, Manchester City's Rodri, and Chelsea's Marc Cucurella also feature, reflecting the Premier League's growing imprint on the national side. Atlético Madrid contributes Marcos Llorente and Marc Pubill, while Athletic Club's Unai Simón and Aymeric Laporte provide experience.
The exclusion of Real Madrid players raises questions about the national team's direction. Carvajal, despite his pedigree, may be seen as past his peak, while Huijsen's omission is startling given his form. Some view it as a deliberate shift under De la Fuente, favoring youth, technical ability, and a specific tactical system that relies less on traditional power. Real Madrid's recent focus on Galáctico signings may have inadvertently created a disconnect with the national team's ethos.
Spain, ranked second in the world, are in Group H alongside Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay. They open their campaign on June 15 in Atlanta against Cape Verde, followed by Saudi Arabia on June 21, also in Atlanta. Their group stage concludes on June 26 in Guadalajara, Mexico, against Uruguay, which promises to be a stern test. Warm-up friendlies against Iraq and Peru will help fine-tune preparations.
The 2010 World Cup champions are looking to improve on their disappointing 2022 campaign, where they crashed out in the round of 16 to Morocco on penalties. Fresh off their Euro 2024 triumph, expectations are high, but the squad's lack of Real Madrid representation adds an element of unpredictability. Historically, Real Madrid players have been instrumental in Spain's successes, from the all-conquering teams of the 2010s to the recent European Championship.
De la Fuente's decision also highlights the changing landscape of Spanish football, where talent is now more evenly distributed across clubs. The coach's insistence that he doesn't consider club affiliation suggests a meritocratic approach, but the narrative of a Barcelona-centric squad will inevitably fuel club vs. country debates.
As Spain embark on their World Cup journey, the fitness of Yamal and others will be closely monitored. The teenager's inclusion is a gamble worth taking given his game-changing abilities, as demonstrated at Euro 2024. If he and his teammates can overcome injury worries, Spain have the depth to challenge for the title, even without a Real Madrid presence.
The road to glory begins in Atlanta, and for De la Fuente, the focus is solely on the 26 players he has chosen, not those left behind. History will judge whether the first Real Madrid-less World Cup squad can deliver on the grandest stage.
Based on reporting from The Guardian.
