Spain Release 26-Man 2026 World Cup Squad: No Real Madrid Players For First Time In History

Luis de la Fuente has officially named Spain’s 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the announcement has made history before a single ball is kicked in North America. Spain’s World Cup squad does not include any Real Madrid players for the first time in the competition’s history.

Key Details At A Glance

The squad was officially released on Monday, May 25, 2026, as La Roja prepare to chase a second world title in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Spain are amongst the favourites to win this summer’s tournament, with the reigning European champions looking to lift the trophy for a second time following their success in 2010.

Spain’s Full 26-Man World Cup Squad

Goalkeepers (3)

In an event in Madrid, de la Fuente named Athletic Club’s Unai Simón, Arsenal’s David Raya and Barcelona’s Joan García as his three goalkeepers, with Real Sociedad’s Álex Remiro absent.

Defenders (8)

In defense, de la Fuente included Marc Cucurella, Alejandro Grimaldo, Pau Cubarsí, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Pubill, Eric García, Marcos Llorente and Pedro Porro.

Midfielders (7)

In midfield, he named Pedri, Fabián Ruiz, Martín Zubimendi, Gavi, Rodri, Álex Baena and Merino.

Forwards (8)

Mikel Oyarzabal, Dani Olmo, Williams, Yéremy Pino, Ferran Torres, Borja Iglesias, Víctor Muñoz and Yamal make up the forward line.

The Historic Headline: Zero Real Madrid Players

The single most striking element of De la Fuente’s selection is one of omission rather than inclusion. It is the first time since 1950 that Spain will go to a World Cup without a Real Madrid player in their squad, a striking absence for the 15-times Champions League winners as De la Fuente prepares to lead one of the tournament favourites.By contrast, Spain’s 2010 World Cup winning team had five Real Madrid representatives, while the Euros-winning class of 2024 had three. De la Fuente told the media: “I don’t look at whether they play for one team or another.” Dean Huijsen’s omission means there are no Real Madrid players in the Spain squad.

Real Madrid’s Disappearance From Spain Squads

The Biggest Shock: Dean Huijsen Left Out

Undoubtedly the most shocking call was the decision to leave out Real Madrid defender Huijsen, who switched international allegiance from the Netherlands and has been capped seven times by Spain. He played 40 times in his debut season for Real after signing from AFC Bournemouth but will not be playing in his first World Cup this summer. Following the announcement, Huijsen appeared to show his displeasure at being left out with a post on social media.

The defender shared his father’s Instagram story which showed a graphic of Sofascore’s Team of the Season — an XI that included his son. Huijsen’s at-times unconvincing first season at Real Madrid has seen him fall behind Aymeric Laporte, Marc Pubill, Eric García and Pau Cubarsí in the pecking order of center backs.

Other Major Omissions

Atlético Madrid defender Robin Le Normand has also been left out, as has Álvaro Morata — who captained Spain to glory at Euro 2024. Como striker Álvaro Morata, who has played a key role for Spain over the years, has also missed out on De la Fuente’s squad after failing to score a single Serie A goal across the 2025-26 campaign. Barcelona’s Fermín López is absent after suffering a broken foot. Arsenal defender Cristhian Mosquera, Isco, Alejandro Balde, Fran García, Gonzalo García, Pablo Barrios and Aleix García are some of the other notable omissions. The goalkeeping position has been hotly debated, with long-time third-choice shot-stopper Alex Remiro missing out.

Key Players Who Missed Out

Barcelona Dominates: Eight Players In The Squad

Barcelona, on the other hand, have eight representatives from their La Liga-winning squad, including Joan García, Eric García, Cubarsí, Gavi, Pedri, Dani Olmo, Ferran Torres and Yamal.

This is a remarkable contrast to the absence of Real Madrid and reflects the relative fortunes of Spain’s two biggest clubs in the 2025-26 season.

Club Representation Breakdown

Lamine Yamal: Injury Concerns But Included

Despite ending the club season with an injury, Lamine Yamal has been passed fit and will feature in the FIFA World Cup 2026 while his availability for the opening matches remains subject to fitness. De la Fuente said he wasn’t concerned by fitness doubts over Yamal, Nico Williams and Mikel Merino, saying he had “no doubt” the trio would be ready for Spain’s debut game in Atlanta. Spain have several world-class forwards, including Lamine Yamal, the world’s best young footballer. The 18-year-old can cement his status as the leading contender for the 2026 Ballon d’Or award if La Roja win the World Cup.

De La Fuente’s Statement On The Squad

De la Fuente told the media: “This has been a very carefully considered, thoroughly analysed list. We have spent months thinking about it. We have the best goalkeepers in the world; whoever had been selected would have offered absolute reliability and could have started. We have three goalkeepers of proven competence and quality.” When asked about favouritism, De la Fuente said: “We have to be cautious, despite being favourites. We have to go with our feet on the ground. I don’t shy away, we are favourites, but we’re equally as favourites as England or France.”

 Asked about the biggest challenge that comes with his role, De la Fuente added: “The most critical process is scouting players, but the most painful part is leaving out players who are good enough to be there.”

Midfield: The Strongest Department

Spain have arguably the best midfielder on the planet right now in Pedri, the magnificent Barcelona star. His teammate Dani Olmo is also included as a forward but Fermín López misses out through injury. Ballon d’Or winner Rodri will also be one of the first names on the teamsheet. Other high-profile midfielders in the squad include Martín Zubimendi, Fabián Ruiz and Gavi.

Key Star Player Profiles

Spain’s Group H Draw

Spain are expected to comfortably qualify from Group H when the tournament gets underway next month. De la Fuente’s men begin their campaign against Cape Verde on June 15 before taking on Saudi Arabia (June 21) and Uruguay (June 27).

Group H Fixtures

Pre-Tournament Schedule

Once the World Cup squad is announced, Spain will play two friendlies before the big event. The first will be on home soil on June 4 against Iraq, and then on June 9 on Mexican soil against Peru.

Can Spain Win Their Second World Cup?

Spain’s historic 2010 victory in South Africa is still recognised as one of the best international football teams in history, and they are still the only national team in the modern era to win both a World Cup and a European Championship in consecutive years. There is a growing feeling that Luis de la Fuente has finally achieved something Spain had been searching for over the last few years: a clear competitive identity.

The blend of experienced leaders and elite young talent has transformed La Roja into a far more unpredictable and dangerous side. They will be looking to banish the ghosts of the last three World Cups after sustaining a poor run in all three competitions, which resulted in their early departure from the tournament. However, fresh from Euro 2024 glory and with one of the most talented squads ever assembled, Spain head into 2026 as genuine title contenders.

Spain’s Recent Major Tournament Record

A Training Group Of Nine Additional Players

A nine-player training group has also been named who will accompany the squad in preparations and will support them until the friendly against Iraq in A Coruña.

Bottom Line

Spain’s 2026 World Cup squad announcement will be remembered for two things: the historic absence of Real Madrid players for the first time ever, and the confirmation that Lamine Yamal — injury scare and all — will be part of La Roja’s bid for a second World Cup title. Spain head into the tournament as one of the favourites after winning UEFA Euro 2024 and continuing their impressive resurgence under De la Fuente. With Rodri anchoring the midfield, Pedri orchestrating, Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams threatening from wide areas, and a deep, technically gifted squad across all positions, De la Fuente has assembled one of the strongest Spanish squads in decades.

The Real Madrid-less squad is a bold statement of selection philosophy over club loyalty — and with Barcelona’s eight representatives forming the spine of the side, the question now is whether this generation can match the achievements of the 2010 winners who first made Spain world champions.

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