The 2026 World Cup squad for Spain will be remembered as the first edition in which Real Madrid is completely absent from the lineup. Manager Luis de la Fuente said the selections were driven solely by recent performances, not by club affiliation.
The final list features eight Barcelona players and three from Atlético Madrid, and also includes Marcos Llorente, Pedro Porro, Aymeric Laporte and Pau Cubarsi, providing a blend of experience and youth across the midfield and defense.
A performance‑first approach
De la Fuente emphasized that club ties played no role in his decisions, pointing to the form of players like Eric García and Marc Pubill as decisive factors in earning a place.
Among the omitted Real Madrid defenders, Dani Carvajal’s exclusion was attributed to a combination of injury setbacks and a dip in form, while Dutch‑born Dean Huijsen, who had earned seven caps under the manager, was left out despite a solid season.
Huijsen responded on social media, sharing a graphic from Sofascore that highlighted his inclusion in the Team of the Season, a move that sparked discussion among fans and analysts alike.
Despite the surprise omissions, Spain remains among the tournament favourites, though they will face stiff competition from traditional powerhouses such as France, England and Brazil.