Yamal leads Spain World Cup squad, Merino recalled

MADRID: Lamine Yamal is the star name in Spain’s squad for the 2026 World Cup named by coach Luis de la Fuente on Monday, which also included Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino after his recent return from injury.

For the first time at a World Cup, the Spain squad will not feature a Real Madrid player, with Dean Huijsen dropped and veteran Dani Carvajal also excluded after struggling through an injury-hit campaign.

Merino, a favourite of coach De la Fuente, appeared as a substitute for the Gunners against Crystal Palace on Sunday in their final Premier League match, for his first appearance since January after a foot fracture.

De La Fuente also called up defenders Eric Garcia and Marc Pubill after impressive seasons with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, respectively, deciding to leave out Huijsen and Atletico’s Robin Le Normand.

Along with 18-year-old Barca star Yamal, Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams played a key role as Spain won Euro 2024 and he is in the squad despite a season badly disrupted by fitness issues.

Yamal is a doubt for the first matches of the tournament after suffering a hamstring injury with Barca, which has kept him out since late April.

The winger is one of eight Barca players in the squad, along with midfielders Gavi, Pedri and goalkeeper Joan Garcia.

“We’re coordinating with the medical departments of all the clubs,” De la Fuente told reporters.

“The reports that we have say all the players will be ready for the first game or the second.”

Gavi returned from a long absence in March after a severe knee injury and has impressed with Barcelona in the final weeks of the season.

Yamal posted a video on social media of Gavi’s emotional reaction to the squad announcement, celebrating wildly during a gym session with Barca.

“That shows the human quality this group of players have… one of our strengths, and that’s just as important as what they do on the pitch,” said De la Fuente.

“I’m glad he got emotional, because we know how much this means to him.”

Asked about not calling up any Real Madrid players for the tournament, De la Fuente said that had no impact on his decision-making.

“Luckily I’m the national team coach and I don’t look at where the players come from,” explained the coach.

“They’re national team players… I don’t look at one club or another. I don’t have that local bias a fan might have, for me it’s more global…

“The only thing I want is for these footballers to feel proud of representing the national team.”

Spain open their World Cup campaign on June 15 against Cape Verde in Group H, before facing Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.

المصدر: Free Malaysia Today