Spain odds: 7.00 · Euro 2024 champions · de la Fuente's squad · Tournament winner, top scorer & Group H markets
Luis de la Fuente's 26-man roster for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in USA, Canada and Mexico — featuring an injured-but-included Lamine Yamal at 18, and a historic exclusion of all Real Madrid players for the first time ever.
Luis de la Fuente announced his final 26 on 25 May 2026 at an event in Madrid, headlined by the inclusion of injured Barcelona starlet Lamine Yamal (18). The squad blends Euro 2024 champions with fresh faces including uncapped defenders Eric García and Marc Pubill.
GK: Unai Simón
DEF: Porro · Cubarsí · Laporte · Cucurella
MID: Rodri · Zubimendi · Pedri
ATT: Yamal · Oyarzabal · Nico Williams
The Euro 2024 winning formula remains largely intact. Rodri anchors midfield with Zubimendi, while Pedri orchestrates ahead. The front three is dynamite: Yamal from the right, Nico Williams from the left, and Mikel Oyarzabal as the No.9. If Yamal isn't 100%, Dani Olmo or Ferran Torres step in. Pau Cubarsí (18) partners Laporte at centre-back — a fearless choice given Huijsen's omission.
This is the headline of Spain's squad announcement. Real Madrid had a disastrous 2025/26 season under Xabi Alonso: no trophies, finishing 8 points behind Barcelona in La Liga, and Champions League elimination. De la Fuente's selections reflect form, not reputation. The exclusions of Dean Huijsen (centre-back) and Dani Carvajal (right-back) — both Euro 2024 starters — shocked Spanish football.
Meanwhile, Barcelona dominate the squad with 8 players: Joan García, Cubarsí, Eric García, Gavi, Pedri, Yamal, Olmo, Ferran Torres. Barça won La Liga + Champions League. The message from De la Fuente is clear: form trumps club.
Spain are in Group H with Cape Verde (World Cup debutants), Saudi Arabia and Uruguay. This is one of the more straightforward paths to the knockouts for a top contender — Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia should be comfortable wins, with Uruguay as the toughest test.
Spain warm up with friendlies vs Iraq (4 June, A Coruña) and vs Peru (8 June, Puebla, Mexico) before flying to the U.S.
Spain are priced at 6.00-7.00 to win the World Cup — the joint-second favorites with England, behind only France (5.50). Ranked No.2 in FIFA rankings behind France, La Roja arrive as Euro 2024 champions with the best young attacking talent in the tournament. According to Goal Oracle AI predictions, Spain are arguably the best value bet to win it all given their consistency and squad depth.
Key concern: The injury cloud over Yamal, Williams and Merino. If all three reach 100% fitness, Spain are genuine title favorites. If not, the squad lacks elite-level depth in wide forward positions. Strength: The midfield trio of Rodri-Zubimendi-Pedri is arguably the best in the world.
Yes. He tore his left hamstring on 22 April 2026 while playing for Barcelona and missed the rest of La Liga. De la Fuente says he has "no doubt" Yamal will be ready for the opener against Cape Verde on 15 June.
For the first time ever. Huijsen and Carvajal were left out for sporting reasons. De la Fuente: "I don't look at one club or another. I don't have that local bias." Real had a trophyless season — Barcelona dominated.
With Álvaro Morata left out, captaincy duties will likely fall to Rodri (Manchester City) or Unai Simón (Athletic Club).
Co-favorites. Priced at 6.00-7.00, behind France (5.50) but ahead of Brazil and Argentina. They're the reigning Euro 2024 champions and ranked No.2 in FIFA rankings.
Barcelona's 18-year-old centre-back, considered the most exciting young defender in Europe. Expected to partner Laporte in the starting XI after Huijsen's surprise omission.