Spain's national coach is set to announce his first squad since the World Cup. Injuries and retirements have created space for six standout players who missed the tournament. Their inclusion could reshape the team's future.
Spain's national football team is at a turning point as coach Luis de la Fuente prepares to name his first squad since the World Cup win. With the announcement set for Friday, attention has shifted to six players who missed the tournament but have impressed early this season. Their possible inclusion could mean real changes for the reigning champions.
The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has confirmed the squad list will be released at 11:30 on September 18. This is the first official selection since Spain won its second World Cup, and several major Spanish sports outlets have reported on the significance of the event.
Injuries and retirements have forced De la Fuente to make changes. Borja Iglesias is out with an injury, and Marcos Llorente has retired from international football. These absences have opened up rare spots in a squad that only recently lifted the World Cup trophy. Independent reports confirm these are the main reasons for the expected rotation in the upcoming squad.
The six players now in contention are Xavi Espart, Carlos Espí, Sergio Camello, Roberto Fernández, Ángel Pérez, and Dean Huijsen. Each has made a strong case for selection. Xavi Espart, just 19, has broken into Barcelona's first team, taking over at left-back from Alejandro Balde, even though Espart's natural position is on the right. De la Fuente has a history of favoring La Masía graduates, making Espart a likely option to replace Llorente on the right side of defense.
Ángel Pérez, now at Alavés, is another candidate for right-back. Since joining last winter, Pérez has helped Alavés reach fourth place in the league, a run that has drawn attention. Dean Huijsen, a central defender at Real Madrid, used his World Cup omission as motivation and has started the season strongly under Mourinho, putting himself back in the national team conversation.
Competition for a spot up front is tight. With Mikel Oyarzabal and Ferran Torres seen as automatic picks, only one new striker is likely to be called up. Roberto Fernández has scored five goals in five games for Espanyol. Carlos Espí finished last season strongly and earned a €25 million move to Real Madrid. Sergio Camello, Rayo Vallecano's top scorer, is tied for the league lead with Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Mbappé, each with six goals in five matches.
Spain's Nations League fixtures add urgency to these decisions. The team will play England at Wembley, Croatia twice (in Seville and Split), and the Czech Republic in Oviedo. The aim is to show that the World Cup win was no accident and to keep momentum in a tournament Spain last won in 2023, narrowly missing out on a repeat in 2025 after losing to Portugal on penalties in Munich.
The announcement will take place in the Salón José Villalonga at the Ciudad del Fútbol de Las Rozas, a moment that could set the tone for Spain's next chapter. The possibility of new faces in the squad has generated real anticipation, especially given the impact these players have already had at club level. The choices De la Fuente makes now will shape Spain's ambitions for the Nations League and beyond.
Spanish football continues to change, both on and off the field. As reported earlier, the sport's influence reaches far beyond match results, reflecting broader shifts in Spanish society and culture. The current selection debate is part of this ongoing evolution, showing how tough the competition is for a place in one of the world's most successful squads. De la Fuente's willingness to reward current form over reputation sends a clear message: no spot is guaranteed, and every performance matters. This keeps established stars alert and brings new energy to a team determined to stay at the top of world football.
