VILLARREAL, Spain – Barcelona goalkeeper Joan García will watch from the sidelines when Spain faces Serbia in a friendly match Friday evening at Estadio de la Cerámica. The omission, announced by Spain manager Luis de la Fuente, comes despite García being a recent addition to the national team roster and is a key decision as La Roja prepares for the upcoming World Cup this summer in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
García, 24, was one of four goalkeepers called up by de la Fuente for this international window, a clear indication of the manager’s intent to evaluate his options ahead of the tournament. His inclusion was seen as recognition of his strong form with Barcelona, but de la Fuente opted to prioritize his established goalkeeping contingent for the match against Serbia.
The decision wasn’t a reflection of García’s performance, but rather the intense competition for the starting role. Unai Simón is widely considered the frontrunner to start in goal for Spain, with David Raya and Álex Remiro positioned as his primary backups. De la Fuente appears to be leaning on experience and familiarity as he fine-tunes his squad for the World Cup.
“We have four of the ten best goalkeepers in the world,” de la Fuente stated, according to reports. This highlights the depth Spain possesses in the goalkeeping position, making the selection process particularly challenging.
García will have another opportunity to showcase his abilities when Spain faces Egypt at the RCD Stadium on Tuesday. This second friendly provides de la Fuente with a chance to assess all four goalkeepers in a competitive environment, potentially offering García a valuable opportunity to earn further consideration for a place in the World Cup squad.
The call-up itself was a significant moment for García, representing his first inclusion in the senior national team. He has previously represented Spain at the U17, U18, U19, and U21 levels. His progression through the Spanish youth ranks demonstrates his potential and the faith placed in him by national team coaches.
Born in Sallent, Barcelona, García began his footballing journey at a young age, initially playing as an outfield player before transitioning to goalkeeper. He progressed through the youth systems of Manresa and Damm before joining Espanyol in 2016. After developing through Espanyol’s academy, García broke into the first team in 2021 and became a regular starter in 2024. He then made a move to Barcelona in June 2025, activating his release clause.
While the decision to abandon García on the bench for the Serbia match may be disappointing for the player, it’s a strategic move by de la Fuente to solidify his preferred goalkeeping setup ahead of the World Cup. The manager may also be considering giving each goalkeeper playing time across the two friendlies, potentially splitting minutes between Simón, Raya, and Remiro.
The friendly against Serbia serves as a crucial preparation match for Spain, allowing de la Fuente to experiment with different formations and player combinations. The team will be looking to build momentum and refine their tactics as they gear up for the challenges that await them in the World Cup. The match at Estadio de la Cerámica kicks off at 8:45 PM local time (2:45 PM ET).
For García, the focus now shifts to the upcoming match against Egypt, where he will be eager to make a positive impression and demonstrate his capabilities on the international stage. The competition for a spot in the World Cup squad remains fierce, and García will need to seize every opportunity to prove his worth to de la Fuente.
Spain’s World Cup campaign begins later this year, and the team will be aiming to make a strong showing on the global stage. With a talented squad and a determined manager, La Roja will be hoping to compete for the title and bring glory back to Spain.
The next confirmed checkpoint for the Spanish national team is the friendly match against Egypt on Tuesday at the RCD Stadium. Fans can follow updates and analysis on Archysport.com as Spain continues its preparations for the World Cup.
