Spain Selects Lamine Yamal for World Cup Roster Without Real Madrid Players
Spain has named injured forward Lamine Yamal in a 26-man World Cup roster that marks the first time no players from Real Madrid have been included.
The 18-year-old Yamal suffered a torn left hamstring during an April 22 match for FC Barcelona, sidelining him for the remainder of the La Liga season.
Despite earlier reports suggesting Yamal might miss the tournament opener, coach Luis de la Fuente expressed confidence in the availability of the young star and others facing fitness issues.
“We’re very calm,” de la Fuente stated. “I think that if there are no setbacks, we can almost have everyone available from the first game. The doctor and fitness coach have been communicating with the clubs. We’ve been coordinating… I have no doubt they’ll be ready for the first game, and if not, they’ll be ready for the second.”
During an announcement event in Madrid on Monday, de la Fuente revealed his roster, notably excluding Real Madrid defenders Dean Huijsen and Dani Carvajal, along with striker Gonzalo Garcia. Injured Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez and Como forward Alvaro Morata, who captained the team to victory in the 2024 European title, were also absent.
“It’s difficult,” de la Fuente commented on the selection process. “We think about every possible scenario that can happen in games with our opponents and their characteristics… We’ve chosen these 26. I think we’ve covered the needs of the team… I don’t look at whether they play for one team or another.”
Ranked No. 2 in the FIFA standings behind France, Spain competes in Group H alongside Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay. The team will kick off its World Cup campaign against Cape Verde on June 15 in Atlanta, before facing Saudi Arabia on June 21, and Uruguay on June 26 in Guadalajara, Mexico.
The 2010 World Cup champions will prepare for the tournament with friendlies against Iraq on Thursday in La Coruna, Spain, and Peru on June 8 in Puebla, Mexico.
SPAIN WORLD CUP ROSTER
Goalkeepers: Unai Simon, David Raya, Joan Garcia
Defenders: Marc Cucurella, Pau Cubarsi, Aymeric Laporte, Alejandro Grimaldo, Pedro Porro, Eric Garcia, Marcos Llorente, Marc Pubill
Midfielders: Gavi, Rodri, Pedri, Martin Zubimendi, Fabian Ruiz, Alex Baena, Mikel Merino
Forwards: Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, Dani Olmo, Ferran Torres, Mikel Oyarzabal, Yeremy Pino, Borja Iglesias, Victor Munoz