The FIFA World Cup is approaching, and each national team has submitted its binding preliminary list of up to 55 players to the governing body. The key difference this time is that the final 26-man squad must be selected from this pre-list. In other words, if a player is not among these 55, they cannot be called up for the tournament, even in case of injuries.
Beyond the usual suspects, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has included several players enjoying outstanding seasons. The 55-man pre-list features names such as Víctor Gómez, a right-back from Sporting Braga, and Sergio Gómez, a left-back from Real Sociedad. Additionally, Marc Pubill, Pau Torres, Le Normand, Mosquera, Vivian, and Eric García are competing for spots alongside Aymeric Laporte, Pau Cubarsí, and Dean Huijsen in central defense, with Marcos Llorente, Pedro Porro, Marc Cucurella, and Álex Grimaldo also included.
In attack, Alberto Moleiro has earned a place on the pre-list and is gaining momentum for a World Cup spot, thanks to his sensational season at Villarreal. The Tenerife native has not been called up to the senior team before, unlike others who also made the cut, such as Víctor Muñoz (who could return to action on Sunday against Espanyol), Jorge de Frutos, Aleix García, Yeremy Pino, Jesús Rodríguez, Carlos Soler, and Barrenetxea.
The pre-list also includes all the players recovering from injury who will be racing to be fit for the start of the World Cup: Mikel Merino, who is in the final stages of his recovery; Nico Williams, who will be out for three weeks; and Lamine Yamal, who will likely miss the opening match but is a certainty for the final 26.
Unsurprisingly, the pre-list is anchored by players with virtually guaranteed spots. In goal, Unai Simón, David Raya, and presumably Joan García leave no room for Álex Remiro in the final squad. In defense, the coach’s plans feature Llorente, Porro, Laporte, Cubarsí, Huijsen, Cucurella, and Grimaldo. In midfield, Rodri, Zubimendi, Merino, Pedri, Fabián, Olmo, Fermín, and Gavi (returning to the squad) are fixed. And in attack, Nico Williams, Lamine, Álex Baena, Oyarzabal, Ferran Torres, and Borja Iglesias are in the mix.