Spain select no Real Madrid players in World Cup first as £50m ex-Premier League star snubbed

For the first time ever, Spain’s World Cup squad does not feature a single Real Madrid player.

Luis de la Fuente named his 26-man travelling party for this summer’s showpiece in the USA, Canada and Mexico, with star man Lamine Yamal being included despite his recent injury.

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The 18-year-old is set to miss La Roja’s opening game against Cape Verde after suffering a season-ending hamstring injury at Barcelona.

Despite this, Yamal will head to his second major tournament as he looks to replicate his Euro 2024 heroics, where he burst as a 16-year-old onto the scene to inspire his nation to glory.

Another key player in the triumph, Nico Williams, also features in Spain’s World Cup squad, despite struggling with a hamstring issue.

Real lack of stars

While Spain’s big-name players are on the plane to North America, it comes as a shock that not one of them plays for arguably the country’s standout club.

Manager De la Fuente hasn’t named a single Real Madrid player in his World Cup squad, with Dean Huijsen and Dani Carvajal being left out.

Huijsen arrived from Bournemouth last summer in a £50million deal, becoming the club’s most expensive defender in history.

He has been capped seven times by Spain since making his debut in March 2025, but won’t be able to add to this next month, after an injury-hit campaign has seen him struggle to find form.

Meanwhile Carvajal will depart Real this summer following a decorated 13 years in the Spanish capital, winning 27 major titles.

The full-back wasn’t even included in La Roja’s 55-man provisional squad, despite featuring in their Euro 2024 triumph.

This marks the first time Real Madrid has had no representatives in Spain’s World Cup squad, and it follows a dismal campaign.

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Los Blancos did not win a trophy this season and finished eight points behind La Liga champions Barcelona.

And it was a different story for their old rivals, with eight Barca players being selected for international duty in North America.

As well as Yamal, midfield duo Pedri and Gavi were also called up, while former Man City striker Ferran Torres and Euro 2024 star Dani Olmo feature among Spain’s attacking options.

Seven Premier League players are in De la Fuente’s group, including Arsenal trio David Raya, Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino.

So too is Manchester City star Rodri, as well as Tottenham’s Pedro Porro, Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella and Crystal Palace‘s Yeremy Pino.

De la Fuente denies favouritism

Discussing his squad selection, Spain boss De la Fuente played down the absence of Madrid’s players, preferring to focus on those he will be taking to the World Cup.

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He said: “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 are among the favourites to win this summer’s tournament, and will kick their tournament off against Cape Verde on June 15 before playing Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in Group H.

While they crashed out in the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup, they bounced back to win Euro 2024 in style.

La Rioja’s only previously tasted World Cup glory came in 2010, when they beat the Netherlands to triumph in South Africa.