Spain 26: De la Fuente Lists Yamal and Rodri for North America, Morata and Fermín López Both Left Out

S pain have named the 26-man squad with which Luis de la Fuente will chase a second World Cup title at the 2026 finals. Lamine Yamal carries the headline. The reigning European and Olympic champions arrive in Group H with two-time winners Uruguay, Saudi Arabia and tournament debutants Cape Verde, hunting an unprecedented simultaneous hold of the world, continental and Olympic titles in men's football. Fermín López, who scored six goals in six matches as Spain won gold in Paris 2024, misses out with a broken bone in his foot.

A 16-year wait for a second title

Spain have been to three World Cups since their 2010 triumph in South Africa and managed only a single group win at each. The generation that delivered EURO 2024 and Paris 2024 gold has changed that calculus. La Roja go to North America with the form record to back the ambition, and a squad shape that has been refined through two consecutive title runs under De la Fuente.

The full 26

Goalkeepers (3): Unai Simón (Athletic Bilbao), David Raya (Arsenal), Joan García (Barcelona). Defenders (8): Marc Cucurella (Chelsea), Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen), Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona), Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Bilbao), Marc Pubill (Atlético Madrid), Eric García (Barcelona), Marcos Llorente (Atlético Madrid), Pedro Porro (Tottenham). Midfielders (7): Pedri (Barcelona), Fabián Ruiz (PSG), Martín Zubimendi (Arsenal), Gavi (Barcelona), Rodri (Manchester City), Álex Baena (Atlético Madrid), Mikel Merino (Arsenal). Forwards (8): Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Yéremy Pino (Crystal Palace), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Borja Iglesias (Celta de Vigo), Víctor Muñoz (Osasuna), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona).

Yamal the marvel

Lamine Yamal has been Spain's defining young name since his 16-year-old breakthrough at EURO 2024. He has added two LaLiga titles and two individual Laureus awards since, and the World Cup is his debut on this stage. The teenager is the headline draw on every TV programming slot and the squad's most-marketed name into the tournament.

Midfield: Rodri and Pedri the spine

The Spanish midfield carries the heaviest weight. Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner, has been working back to full fitness ahead of the tournament; if he reaches it, Spain has the best holding midfielder of his generation anchoring the side. Pedri, 23 and closing on 50 caps, sets the tempo from the half-space alongside him. Mikel Merino, Fabián Ruiz, Martín Zubimendi, Gavi and Álex Baena fill out a midfield depth few teams can match.

Morata and Fermín López both omitted

Two absences shape the squad. Long-time captain Álvaro Morata does not feature in De la Fuente's 26, with Borja Iglesias of Celta de Vigo and Víctor Muñoz of Osasuna instead listed as the dedicated centre-forward options behind the Yamal-Nico Williams-Oyarzabal attacking line. Fermín López, the Barcelona midfielder who shone at EURO 2024 and then drove the Olympic gold campaign with six goals in six matches, misses the World Cup with a broken bone in his foot. A metatarsal fracture typically takes 6-8 weeks to clear, past the tournament window.

Group H and the schedule

Spain open against Cape Verde at 12:00 EDT on June 15 in Atlanta, then face Saudi Arabia at 12:00 EDT on June 21 also in Atlanta, before traveling to Guadalajara for the final group game against Uruguay at 18:00 CST on June 26. Uruguay are the seeded contenders for the second qualification slot, Saudi Arabia bring a Roshn-anchored squad under Georgios Donis and Cape Verde are debutants. Spain start as the heavy favourites to top the group.

Quick facts

Head coach: Luis de la Fuente. World Cup appearances including 2026: 17. Best result: winners, 2010. Captain to be confirmed (long-time captain Álvaro Morata is not in the 26).

Reporting: RFEF / Olympics.com, May 25, 2026.