Spain's 2026 World Cup Squad: Zero Real Madrid Players

Luis de la Fuente has confirmed Spain's 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and for the first time in the nation's history at the tournament, not a single player from Real Madrid is included.

A Historic Absence From the Bernabéu

The omission is not entirely without precedent at the international level — Real Madrid also had no representatives in Spain's Euro 2020 squad — but a World Cup is a different scale of occasion, and the pattern now spans multiple cycles. At Euro 2024, three Madrid players were included: Dani Carvajal, Joselu, and Nacho Fernández. All three have since left the club or are in the process of doing so, which means the absence this summer reflects not just selection preference but a shifting generational balance between Spanish football's clubs.

Among the players who did not make the cut, centre-back Dean Huijsen is the most prominent omission. The 21-year-old started the full 90 minutes of Spain's recent 0-0 draw against Egypt but was left out of the final list. Also absent are Raúl Asencio, Álvaro Carreras, Fran García, and striker Gonzalo García — all currently at Real Madrid. De la Fuente has not publicly explained his reasoning for each individual call.

The chart below shows how Real Madrid's representation in Spain squads has shifted across the last three major tournaments.

The Squad De la Fuente Did Select

Barcelona supply the largest single contingent, with seven players named: Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Gavi, Dani Olmo, Ferran Torres, Pau Cubarsí, and Joan García. Yamal's inclusion is notable — a late-season injury ended his club campaign early, but he has recovered sufficiently to be cleared for the tournament. Fermín López, also from Barcelona, is the squad's one confirmed absentee through injury, ruled out with a fractured metatarsal.

Arsenal contribute three players: goalkeeper David Raya and midfielders Mikel Merino and Martín Zubimendi. Atlético Madrid also send three — Marc Pubill, Marcos Llorente, and Álex Baena. Athletic Club are represented by goalkeeper Unai Simón, defender Aymeric Laporte, and forward Nico Williams, one of the standout performers from last summer's Euro triumph.

The chart below breaks down the full 26-man squad by club.

World Cup Pressure and the Euro 2024 Factor

Spain arrive at this tournament under the weight of three consecutive underwhelming World Cup campaigns — knocked out at the group stage in 2014, and in the round of 16 in both 2018 and 2022. That context is offset by the confidence that comes with winning Euro 2024, and de la Fuente's squad retains the core of that winning generation. Rodri, the reigning Ballon d'Or holder, is included after recovering from a serious knee injury that ruled him out for much of the 2024–25 club season. Lamine Yamal, 17 at the time of the Euros and one of its defining players, is again expected to start.

The full squad by position: Goalkeepers — Unai Simón, David Raya, Joan García. Defenders — Marc Cucurella, Alejandro Grimaldo, Pau Cubarsí, Eric García, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Pubill, Marcos Llorente, Pedro Porro. Midfielders — Mikel Merino, Pedri, Fabián Ruiz, Martín Zubimendi, Gavi, Rodri, Álex Baena. Forwards — Mikel Oyarzabal, Dani Olmo, Nico Williams, Yéremy Pino, Ferran Torres, Borja Iglesias, Víctor Múñoz, Lamine Yamal.