Spain manager Luis de la Fuente raised eyebrows with his latest squad announcement ahead of the final roster selection for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The most notable decision? Calling up four goalkeepers, an unprecedented move that includes FC Barcelona’s Joan García. “Rules are there to be changed,” De la Fuente argued, adding, “It was the right time to have these four goalkeepers.”
The inclusion of a fourth goalkeeper has sparked debate, potentially delaying a final decision. However, De la Fuente dismissed this notion, stating, “We’ll think about that when the time comes, but as of today, these are the four best goalkeepers to choose from.” He emphatically declared, “We have four goalkeepers among the top 10 in the world.”
This unconventional selection comes as Spain prepares for friendly matches against Serbia on March 27th at the Estadio de la Cerámica in Villarreal, and Egypt on March 31st at the RCDE Stadium in Barcelona. These fixtures serve as crucial preparation ahead of the World Cup tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada this summer.
García’s Call-Up: A Recognition of Talent and Depth
Joan García’s inclusion marks his first call-up to the Spanish senior national team. De la Fuente emphasized that García’s quality is well-known, stating, “Joan García is a great goalkeeper, but we didn’t just discover him now. He’s been with me at the international level five years ago.” The manager believes García can contribute positively to the team dynamic, bringing “coexistence, professionalism, and helping others improve.”
The goalkeeping contingent as well includes established names Unai Simón (Athletic Club), David Raya (Arsenal), and Álex Remiro (Real Sociedad), all of whom completed the qualifying phase for the World Cup. This creates an unusually competitive environment for the goalkeeping position, with De la Fuente intending to evaluate all four extensively before making a final decision on the three who will travel to the tournament.
Barcelona Heavily Represented in the Squad
Beyond García’s inclusion, Barcelona is the most represented club in De la Fuente’s 27-man squad, with seven players called up: Joan Garcia, Cubarsí, Pedri, Dani Olmo, Fermín, Lamine Yamal, and Ferran Torres. Real Sociedad follows closely with four representatives. This strong Barcelona presence reflects the club’s current form and the contributions of its players to the national team setup.
Addressing Squad Challenges and New Faces
De la Fuente’s squad selection was also shaped by several absences due to injury and other factors. Mikel Merino, Fabián Ruiz, and Pablo Barrios are unavailable in midfield, while Nico Williams and Samu Aghehowa are absent in attack. To address these gaps, the manager has called up Christian Mosquera (Arsenal), Carlos Soler (Real Sociedad), Barrenetxea (Real Sociedad), and Víctor Muñoz (Osasuna) as key additions.
Mosquera, in particular, received high praise from De la Fuente, who highlighted his strong performances for Arsenal and his commitment to representing Spain. The manager also noted Mosquera’s versatility, as he can play both as a central defender and a full-back. “He brings a lot of versatility, is very fast, maintains concentration, and has the experience of playing in the youth categories,” De la Fuente explained.
Another notable addition is Víctor Muñoz, who steps in to replace the injured Nico Williams. De la Fuente acknowledged Williams’ absence but emphasized the importance of focusing on the available players and preparing for the upcoming matches.
Notable Omissions and Prioritizing Player Health
Dani Carvajal, a regular under De la Fuente, was not included in the squad due to limited playing time for Real Madrid recently, having played only 270 minutes since Spain’s last match against Turkey on November 18th. Atlético Madrid’s Robin Le Normand was also left out, though the reasons weren’t explicitly stated.
The manager also explained the omission of Marc Pubill, a player from Atlético, citing concerns about his recent recovery from an injury. “Our priority is to preserve the health of the players, and the medical reports indicated that he wasn’t fully recovered,” De la Fuente said. “We didn’t want to take any unnecessary risks.”
Looking Ahead: Preparation and Focus on the World Cup
The cancellation of the Finalissima against Argentina has prompted a shift in planning, primarily concerning travel arrangements. However, De la Fuente remains focused on preparing the team for the World Cup. “It was a match to win a title, but we were looking beyond that, preparing for the World Cup,” he stated. He reiterated his desire to have played the match, regardless of location, but acknowledged Argentina’s decision.
De la Fuente emphasized the team’s lack of pressure and their determination to win the upcoming friendly matches against Serbia and Egypt. He also indicated that he is still evaluating how to manage the four goalkeepers and their playing time, stating, “We’ll observe what each match demands. We want to win these two preparation matches. I can’t share you now if we’re planning for each to play half a game.”
Spain’s preparations for the 2026 World Cup are well underway, and De la Fuente’s squad selection reflects a blend of experience, emerging talent, and a commitment to building a competitive team. The matches against Serbia and Egypt will provide valuable opportunities to assess the players and fine-tune the team’s tactics ahead of the tournament.
Next Up: Spain will face Serbia on March 27th at 21:00 CET at the Estadio de la Cerámica in Villarreal, followed by a match against Egypt on March 31st at 21:00 CET at the RCDE Stadium in Barcelona.
What are your thoughts on De la Fuente’s squad selection? Share your opinions in the comments below!
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