No Real Madrid player in Spain’s FIFA World Cup squad; Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams included despite injuries

ByTech Word News

Injured strikers Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams were included in Spain’s World Cup squad announced on Monday, although for the first time the team will travel without Real Madrid CF players.Both Yamal and Williams suffered season-ending muscle injuries, but Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said he expected them to recover in time for the tournament.“We will not speed up any process, we are in coordination with the clubs,” said De la Fuente. “The information we have is that they will all be ready for the first or second game. You always want to be careful, but if there is a time when players want to take risks, it is at the World Cup.”Spain open their Group H campaign against Cape Verde on June 15 in Atlanta. They will then face the Saudi Arabia national soccer team on June 21 in Atlanta and the Uruguay national soccer team on June 26 in Guadalajara, Mexico.Defender Dean Huijsen, who was among the Madrid players fighting for a place in the squad, remained sidelined.“I don’t look at the clubs, they are the national team players,” said De la Fuente. “The only thing I want is for them to be proud of representing the national team. I don’t look at it like maybe the fans look at it.”Eight players in the squad are from FC Barcelona, ​​which won the Spanish league title in the last two seasons. Madrid, meanwhile, ended their second consecutive season without a major trophy.Madrid players will still feature at the World Cup for other countries, including Kylian Mbappé for France, Vinicius Júnior for Brazil and Jude Bellingham for England.Barcelona midfielder Fermín López has been ruled out as expected after suffering a fractured right leg earlier this month.Midfielder Mikel Merino has returned to the squad after making just one appearance for Arsenal FC since injuring his foot in January. Paris Saint-Germain FC’s Fabián Ruiz was included despite a recent injury.Spain’s preparations begin on Saturday, with friendly matches against the Iraqi national football team on June 4 and the Peruvian national football team on June 9.Spain bounced back from a round of 16 exit against Morocco at the 2022 World Cup with victory at UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany. La Roja also won the 2023 Nations League and finished second to the Portuguese national football team in 2025.Spain have not made it past the last 16 at the World Cup since winning their only title in 2010.platoon: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 (Atlet)Midfielders: Rodri (Manchester City), Martín Zubimendi (Arsenal), Pedri (Barcelona), Mikel Merino (Arsenal), Fabián Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain), Gavi (Barcelona), Álex Baena (Atletico Madrid).Forwards: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Yéremi Pino (Crystal Palace), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Víctor Muñoz (Osasuna), Borja Iglesias (Celta Vigo), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Ferran) Torres (Bar)