The scheduled presentation of Spain’s November squad shifted dramatically on Friday as manager Luis de la Fuente bypassed traditional formalities to address national grief, opening his announcement by stating that the country is in mourning following a deadly railway accident in Urda and the death of Tenerife forward Jesús de Miguel.
Appearing in an austere video seated alone in a sparse room dressed in black, the coach set aside routine sporting buildup to focus on the tragedies. “Today Spain is in mourning,” De la Fuente said in the broadcast, insisting that the country does not deserve such pain while promising a proper tribute on the pitch. Once the solemn address concluded, the federation released the names of the 26 players selected for the upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures.
New Faces and Forced Defensive Changes
Injuries necessitated several alterations to the squad, most notably in central defense where Como defender Jacobo Ramón earned his first senior call-up. Ramón joins a defensive unit that welcomes back Tottenham’s Pedro Porro following a previous injury absence, while Atlético de Madrid’s Marc Pubill is listed as a right back for the upcoming window.
🚨🇪🇸 De la Fuente names his Spain squad! 🌟 Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams and Pedri headline Luis de la Fuente’s selection for the upcoming internationals, with Jacobo Ramón, Marc Roca and Roberto Fernández also included! 🧤 Goalkeepers: Unai Simón, David Raya, Joan García,… pic.twitter.com/4T63zS7Jnj
Midfield adjustments followed the absence of Barcelona’s Dani Olmo and Rodrigo Hernández due to injuries. Atlético de Madrid midfielder Pablo Barrios returns to the setup, and Real Betis midfielder Marc Roca received his maiden senior selection under De la Fuente. Roca previously won a European Under-21 title under the same manager in 2019.
Spain Secures Quarterfinal Spot Before Final Matches
Spain enters the final two matches of the group stage having already secured qualification for the quarterfinals, which are scheduled to be played in March. The team holds four wins from four matches after defeating the Czech Republic and Croatia earlier in the campaign. The immediate targets involve a visit to Prague to face the Czech Republic on Thursday, November 12, followed by a home fixture against England at the Metropolitano Stadium on Sunday, November 15.
🚨 OFFICIAL – Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has announced a 27-player squad for the final two UEFA Nations League group matches against the Czech Republic and England. Como defender Jacobo Ramón, Real Betis goalkeeper Álvaro Valles and midfielder Marc Roca are among the notable… pic.twitter.com/mBNr08QsOR
The meeting with England carries direct consequences for group supremacy, as a first-place finish guarantees the advantage of playing the second leg of the quarterfinals at home. Spain enters the fixture holding a narrow edge, though prior meetings and goal differentials leave the top spot open ahead of the Madrid showdown.
Full November Squad Selections
The 26-man roster announced by the federation features a blend of established contributors and fresh additions across all positions:
🚨 Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente: "Jacobo Ramón is having a great season and has been doing an excellent job with the U21s. We believe it's a good time to see him." pic.twitter.com/XMK9IXSF17
- Goalkeepers: Unai Simón, Joan García, David Raya, and Álvaro Valles.
- Defenders: Aymeric Laporte, Pau Cubarsí, Marc Pubill, Dean Huijsen, Pedro Porro, Jacobo Ramón, Marc Cucurella, and Alejandro Grimaldo.
- Midfielders: Fabián Ruiz, Pedri, Mikel Merino, Martín Zubimendi, Álex Baena, Fermín López, Pablo Barrios, and Marc Roca.
- Forwards: Mikel Oyarzabal, Ferran Torres, Roberto Fernández, Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, Yeremy Pino, and Ander Barrenetxea.
Worth a look
