Yamal in Spain’s World Cup squad, but no room for Real Madrid players
Spain named Lamine Yamal and Mikel Merino in its World Cup squad, but left out every Real Madrid player for the first time since 1950.
Intelligence analysis by GPT-5.4 Mini
Luis de la Fuente’s 26-man Spain squad mixes Barcelona talent, Premier League-based players and returning injuries, but no Real Madrid player made the cut. The selection centers on Yamal’s fitness, Spain’s Euro 2024 momentum and the coach’s insistence that club rivalries do not matter.
Spain picked the players it thinks can help most at the World Cup. One of the biggest names is Lamine Yamal, a very young star from Barcelona, even though he is coming back from an injury.
A surprising part is that no Real Madrid players were chosen. That has not happened for a very long time. It is like picking a school team and not choosing anyone from the school’s biggest rival, because the coach thinks other players are ready.
Spain still has many strong players from Barcelona and from clubs in England. The team looks talented, but some players are hurt, so the big question is whether they will be healthy in time.
Analysis
Squad shape
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has named a 26-man squad for the FIFA World Cup that includes teenage Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal, despite a recent hamstring injury. Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino is also in the group after returning from injury, while Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams makes the cut even though his season was disrupted by fitness problems.
No Real Madrid players
For the first time since 1950, Spain’s World Cup squad contains no Real Madrid player. The main reasons are injury and form-related availability: Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen was dropped because of injury, and Dani Carvajal was left out after an injury-hit campaign. De la Fuente brushed aside club identity, saying he was focused on national team players rather than where they come from.
Key names and concerns
Barcelona have a strong presence in the squad, including Joan Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, Gavi, Pedri, Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres. Seven of the selected players are based in the Premier League, with Arsenal supplying David Raya, Martin Zubimendi and Merino, and Manchester City providing Rodri.
The main concern is fitness. Yamal is still a doubt for the opening matches after missing time since late April, and Williams also arrives with hamstring issues. De la Fuente said the staff are calm and are working closely with club medical teams, but the squad’s success may depend on how quickly those injured players recover.
Key points
- Spain named Lamine Yamal in its 26-man World Cup squad despite his recent hamstring injury.
- No Real Madrid player was selected, the first time that has happened since 1950.
- Dean Huijsen and Dani Carvajal were left out because of injury concerns.
- Barcelona players and Premier League-based players make up much of the squad.
- Coach Luis de la Fuente said he is focused on national team players, not club rivalries.
