Spain names – Injured forwards Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams were included in Spain’s World Cup squad as coach Luis de la Fuente said he expects them to be fit for the tournament’s start. Spain’s campaign begins June 15 against Cape Verde in Atlanta, followed by Saudi Arab
MADRID — Spain’s World Cup squad looked a little less certain on paper Monday, then tightened again when coach Luis de la Fuente made one point clear: the country’s two most talked-about attacking stars, Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, are still in.
Both forwards were dealing with muscle injuries sustained late in the season, but de la Fuente said he expects them to be fit for the start of the World Cup.
The timetable matters. Spain opens its campaign against Cape Verde in Group H on June 15 in Atlanta, then faces Saudi Arabia on June 21 in Atlanta. The third group match comes on June 26 against Uruguay in Guadalajara, Mexico.
For the first time, there won’t be a Real Madrid player named in Spain’s World Cup party. Defender Dean Huijsen, who had been among the contenders, was left out by de la Fuente.
There’s also no return for Barcelona midfielder Fermín López, who was ruled out as expected after sustaining a fracture on his right foot this month.
Spain’s midfield mix includes some familiar faces coming back from setbacks. Mikel Merino is included after injuring his foot in January and playing only once for Arsenal since. Fabián Ruiz also makes the squad despite a recent injury.
Spain’s preparations begin on Saturday, with warmup matches scheduled against Iraq on June 4 and Peru on June 9.
The squad arrives after Spain’s bounce-back from disappointment. The team was eliminated in the round of 16 by Morocco at the 2022 World Cup, then won Euro 2024 in Germany. Spain also won the 2023 Nations League and was runner-up to Portugal in the 2025 edition.
Still, there’s an uncomfortable history lingering behind the optimism: Spain hasn’t gone further than the last 16 in the World Cup since its lone title triumph in 2010.
Spain’s full squad:
Goalkeepers: Unai Simón (Athletic Bilbao), David Raya (Arsenal), Joan García (Barcelona)
Defenders: Marc Cucurella (Chelsea), Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen), Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid), Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona), Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Bilbao), Pedro Porro (Tottenham), Eric García (Barcelona), Marc Pubill (Atletico Madrid)
Midfielders: Rodri (Manchester City), Martín Zubimendi (Arsenal), Pedri (Barcelona), Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Mikel Merino (Arsenal), Fabián Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain), Gavi (Barcelona)
Forwards: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Yéremi Pino (Crystal Palace), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Víctor Muñoz (Osasuna), Alex Baena (Atletico Madrid), Borja Iglesias (Celta Vigo), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao).
Spain World Cup squad Lamine Yamal Nico Williams Luis de la Fuente Dean Huijsen Fermín López Mikel Merino Fabián Ruiz Group H Cape Verde Saudi Arabia Uruguay Atlanta