Actual’s absence from Spain’s World Cup squad, whereas Barca dominate picks, defined by coach as ‘united nation’ first.
Printed On 26 Might 2026
Luis de la Fuente has pressured that Spain’s badge outranks any membership crest after naming a World Cup squad with a distinctly Barcelona hue and, for the primary time, no Actual Madrid participant in sight.
The European champions head into subsequent month’s event among the many favourites, with coach De la Fuente’s 26-man squad constructed round eight Barcelona gamers and none from the Spanish capital’s largest membership, bringing the fierce El Clasico rivalry into the nationwide workforce’s debate.
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Defenders Dean Huijsen and Dani Carvajal had been among the many Actual Madrid names to overlook out on a workforce chasing Spain’s second World Cup title after their 2010 triumph in South Africa.
De la Fuente on Tuesday dismissed the concept the choice might value him help amongst Actual Madrid followers.
“For me, the best workforce there may be – the very best – is the Spanish nationwide workforce,” De la Fuente mentioned throughout a breakfast with media representatives organised by Spanish public broadcaster RTVE and information company EFE.
“I don’t have a look at the place gamers come from or their background. What issues are Spanish gamers who’re proud to characterize their nation’s nationwide workforce and to be a part of a united nation.”
Yamal raring to go for Spain at World Cup after damage
Barcelona’s contingent includes Joan Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, Gavi, Pedri, Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres, whereas seven gamers known as up are primarily based within the Premier League.
The supervisor mentioned sporting concerns alone guided his choice, even when squad choices inevitably carried a subjective factor.
“The day I make a mistake, fail to make the appropriate selection, or act in a manner that may be helpful simply to get a end result, I’m placing my job on the road,” he mentioned. Spain open Group H in opposition to Cape Verde earlier than dealing with Saudi Arabia and Uruguay, however De la Fuente might but take a cautious method with Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams and Mikel Merino, who’re all recovering from health issues.
“We’re in touch with all of the golf equipment,” he mentioned. “We all know that these gamers are in good bodily form; every one is making good progress of their restoration course of. I’m very optimistic; I believe they’ll be obtainable for the primary match.”
Nonetheless, De la Fuente mentioned Spain’s view stretched past the opener.
“If we have now to take a danger, mate, we’ll take it in a World Cup,” he mentioned. “However… our view goes past the primary match and additionally the second. So, if we have now to attend a little bit longer, we’ll wait.”
On Yamal, the 18-year-old Barcelona winger anticipated to hold a lot of Spain’s attacking risk, De la Fuente mentioned youth had not dimmed his sense of event.
“Yamal is totally thrilled and raring to go,” he mentioned. “He’s a really younger lad, simply 18, however he has a exceptional sense of maturity and is aware of that that is his second.
“It’s a must to seize the second. And he is aware of that is his second.”
