Spain names 26-man World Cup squad with injured Yamal and Williams

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente on Monday named his 26 player squad for the 2026 World Cup, including injured forwards Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams despite their late season muscle injuries. De la Fuente said he expects both players to be fit for Spain's opening match. Yamal, 18, has been sidelined since late April with a hamstring injury, while Williams has also struggled with fitness issues throughout the season. Midfielder Mikel Merino returns to the squad after recovering from a foot fracture that had kept him out since January; he made his first appearance for Arsenal since the injury as a substitute against Crystal Palace on the final day of the Premier League season.

For the first time in a World Cup, the Spain squad does not include a player from Real Madrid. Defender Dean Huijsen and veteran Dani Carvajal were among those omitted, while Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez was ruled out after fracturing his foot earlier this month. De la Fuente selected defenders Eric Garcia and Marc Pubill, leaving out Huijsen and Atletico Madrid's Robin Le Normand. Paris Saint Germain midfielder Fabian Ruiz was also included despite a recent injury.

"I'm the manager and I don't look at...