Nico Williams left Spain’s national team training camp on Thursday, October 1, 2026, due to left thigh discomfort, becoming the fourth player to depart Luis de la Fuente’s squad during the ongoing UEFA Nations League window. The Athletic Club winger experienced the issue following Spain’s match against Croatia in Seville and missed Thursday’s training session at Las Rozas before the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) announced his release.
Spain’s medical staff confirmed the decision to release the forward after evaluating tests performed at federation headquarters, allowing the player to continue his rehabilitation under the supervision of his club.
Left Thigh Discomfort Sidelines Athletic Club Winger
According to the official RFEF statement cited by Europa Press, medical personnel monitored his progress throughout a rest day before determining that the discomfort persisted after the player noticed issues following the duel against Croatia in Seville that did not subside over the following two days.
Following medical assessments conducted on Thursday morning, team doctors and technical staff agreed to release him from international duty so he could return to Bilbao for treatment. The winger had started the fixture against England at Wembley, playing 55 minutes, and subsequently played 22 minutes after replacing Álex Baena in the 68th minute of the second Nations League match at the Sánchez-Pizjuán against Croatia, where he scored the final 4-1 goal.
Four Withdrawals Strain Luis de la Fuente’s Roster
Williams represents the fourth squad member to drop out of international service during this autumn international window, according to Europa Press, after previously featuring in a World Cup where he played six of Spain’s eight matches without starting any, yet famously provided the headed assist for Ferran Torres’ goal that secured La Roja’s second star in the final against Argentina, before rediscovering his scoring form as an international in the current window. The cascade of absences began before training even commenced when lateral Pedro Porro failed to join the team due to fitness issues.
Defensive injuries further disrupted the roster preparation. Central defender Eric García sustained an injury during the pre-match warm-up before he was scheduled to start against England. Shortly after, fellow lateral Alejandro Grimaldo suffered a physical setback during the warm-up period prior to the fixture against Croatia in Seville.
Spain Faces Czech Republic and Croatia Without Williams
As a novelty for this occasion, the national team coach opted not to call up any replacement player, leaving the Spanish squad with 25 players.
The RFEF confirmed that Athletic Club’s medical department maintained constant communication regarding the treatment plan for Williams.
Spain continues its UEFA Nations League 2026–2027 campaign without the forward, facing the Czech Republic on Saturday, October 3, 2026, in Oviedo, followed by a rematch against Croatia on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, in Split.
