Luis de la Fuente Names 26-Man French World Cup Squad Without Real Madrid Players
Spain’s french world cup squad is without a single Real Madrid player for the first time in the country’s history. Luis de la Fuente named his 26-man group in Madrid on Monday, and the selection fixes the 2010 champions’ plan for a summer that begins against Cape Verde on 15 June.
Madrid Leaves Out Real Madrid Trio
Dean Huijsen, Dani Carvajal and Gonzalo García were not included. That leaves Spain heading to the World Cup with a squad built without a player from Real Madrid, a break from every previous tournament cycle for the national team.
De la Fuente said it was “difficult” to leave players out, then added: “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.”
Lamine Yamal Stays In
Lamine Yamal made the list after tearing his left hamstring on 22 April and missing the rest of Barcelona’s La Liga campaign. De la Fuente said he had “no doubt” about the availability of Yamal, Nico Williams and Mikel Merino despite the fitness questions around the group.
The squad is split into three goalkeepers, eight defenders, seven midfielders and eight forwards. Spain are ranked No 2 in the world behind France, and the inclusion of Yamal gives them one of their most important attacking options even after the injury layoff.
Spain’s Group H Schedule
Spain open Group H against Cape Verde in Atlanta on 15 June, then face Saudi Arabia there on 21 June before finishing the group stage against Uruguay in Guadalajara on 26 June. The team goes into the tournament as the 2024 European champion, but also with the memory of losing to Morocco in the last 16 at the 2022 World Cup.
De la Fuente said, “We’re very calm,” and added: “if there are no setbacks, we can almost have everyone available from the first game.” He also said: “I have no doubt they’ll be ready for the first game, and if not, they’ll be ready for the second.”
