Seven Barcelona Stars Make Spain Squad, Joan García and Alejandro Balde Omitted
Spain’s national team coach, Luis de la Fuente, has revealed his latest squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifying fixtures, featuring a strong representation from FC Barcelona. Among the 26 players called up, seven are Barcelona talents: Pau Cubarsí, Pedri, Gavi, Fermin Lopez, Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo, and the young prodigy Lamine Yamal. These selections underline the continued trust in Barcelona’s homegrown stars and highlight the significant role the club’s players play in Spain’s international ambitions.
The squad is set to begin its World Cup qualification campaign with two challenging away matches. On Thursday, September 4, Spain will travel to Sofia to face Bulgaria at the Vasil Levski National Stadium. This will be followed by a clash against Turkey on Sunday, September 7, at the Buyuksehir Belediye Stadium in Konya. Both stadiums will host the senior Spanish team for the first time, adding an extra layer of intrigue and challenge for the squad.
While several Barcelona players made the squad, notable absentees include goalkeeper Joan García and left-back Alejandro Balde. Their omission has sparked debate among fans, with some criticizing the decision and others suggesting it may be a strategic move to avoid overloading players before a demanding club season, particularly with the Champions League approaching. The decision also reflects the depth of Spain’s squad, giving opportunities to other talents to step up in these qualifiers.
Spain’s national team comes into this period on the back of recent successes, including their triumph in the last European Championship and a strong showing in the UEFA Nations League final in June. These achievements highlight not only the team’s skill but also the depth of talent available to de la Fuente, ensuring that Spain remains a formidable contender on the international stage. The inclusion of Barcelona’s stars is expected to add creativity, versatility, and experience to the squad as they aim to secure qualification for next year’s World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
