Real was not included in the Spain squad for the World Cup, and Barca has exclusive rights to the selection, but the manager explained that “unification comes first.”
Published May 26, 2026
Coach Luis de la Fuente has named a World Cup squad with distinctly Barcelona shades, stressing that the Spanish badge is better than any club’s crest after Real Madrid players will not feature for the first time.
The European champions go into next month’s tournament among the favorites. De la Fuente’s 26-man squad is built around eight Barcelona players and none from Spain’s capital’s biggest club, bringing the fierce El Clasico rivalry into national team discussions.
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Defenders Dean Huisen and Dani Carvajal were among the players who missed out on Real Madrid’s squad as they bid to win Spain’s second World Cup after winning in South Africa in 2010.
De la Fuente on Tuesday dismissed the idea that the decision could cost him support from Real Madrid fans.
“For me, the greatest team in the world, indeed the greatest team, is the Spanish national team,” de la Fuente said at a breakfast meeting with media organized by Spanish public broadcaster RTVE and news agency EFE.
“I don’t look at the origin or background of a player. What matters is a Spanish player who represents his country’s national team and is proud to be part of a united nation.”
Yamal aspires to play in the World Cup with Spain after injury
Barcelona’s squad consists of João Garcia, Pau Kvarsi, Eric Garcia, Gabi, Pedri, Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres, with seven players called up to be based in the Premier League.
The coach said that even though the team’s decisions inevitably have a subjective element, only sporting considerations guided his choices.
“On days when I make a mistake, fail to make the right choice, or take an action that seems beneficial to get an outcome, I end up putting my job at risk,” he said. Spain face Cape Verde in their opening Group H game, followed by Saudi Arabia and Uruguay, but de la Fuente could take a cautious approach with the likes of Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams and Mikel Merino all recovering from fitness concerns.
“We are in touch with all the clubs,” he said. “We know these players are in good shape. Each player is progressing well in the recovery process. I’m very optimistic. I think they’ll be able to play in the first game.”
Still, de la Fuente said Spain’s sights extend beyond the opening game.
“If we have to take a risk, we will take it at the World Cup,” he said. “But… our view applies not only to the first game, but also to the second game. So if we have to wait a little longer, we will.”
Regarding Yamal, the 18-year-old Barcelona winger who was expected to be much of Spain’s attacking threat, de la Fuente said his youth had not dampened his sense of opportunity.
“Yamal is really excited and wants to go,” he said. “He is a very young player, only 18 years old, but he has an incredible sense of maturity and knows that this is his moment.
“You have to seize the moment, and he knows this is his moment.”
