Spain’s next European window will begin with four changes from the World Cup-winning squad, as Luis de la Fuente turns club form into selection opportunity ahead of a Nations League start that brings England, Croatia and the Czech Republic into a demanding three-week international spell.
The coach announced his group in Las Rozas, 61 days after Ferran Torres’s goal carried Spain to a second world title. Ceuta was the central theme of the presentation, while De la Fuente’s selection reflected both recent performances for clubs and players’ records with the national side.
Goalkeeper Joan García’s knee problem has created an opening for Josep Martínez, whose form for Inter has earned him a first senior call-up ahead of Leo Román. Martínez joins Unai Simón and David Raya among the three goalkeepers.
Fermín returns in midfield after the injury which interrupted his previous international run. Having begun the season strongly for his club, he takes the place of Gavi. Dean Huijsen is restored to the defensive group after Marcos Llorente chose to step away from selection, with the Real Madrid player rewarded for his versatility and performances under Mourinho. Pubill and Eric García can both operate centrally or at right-back, offering De la Fuente additional flexibility.
The other major change is at centre-forward, where Roberto Fernández has won the final place. Borja Iglesias drops out after fitness issues prevented him from building momentum, despite a wide group of contenders pressing their claims. Roberto and Sergio Camello have each scored six LaLiga goals for Espanyol and Rayo Vallecano respectively, while Gonzalo has become a key figure at Fulham and captain of Spain’s Under-21 side. Carlos Espí has also grown in importance at Madrid, making decisive late contributions for Mourinho, but Roberto has been chosen.
A new cycle with two stars on the shirt
The four matches will provide the first competitive stretch for a Spain side now wearing a shirt marked by two World Cup stars. The campaign opens away to England in London on Saturday 26 September, before Croatia visit Sevilla on Tuesday 29 September. Spain then face the Czech Republic in Oviedo on Saturday 3 October and conclude the window with another meeting with Croatia, this time in Split on Tuesday 6 October.
The players will report on Tuesday at 13:00, leaving their clubs for a window in which the established core remains largely intact but competition for places has again been sharpened by the European season.
De la Fuente’s squad is:
- Goalkeepers: Unai Simón, David Raya, Josep Martínez.
- Defenders: Pedro Porro, Pubill, Aymeric Laporte, Pau Cubarsí, Eric García, Dean Huijsen, Marc Cucurella, Alejandro Grimaldo.
- Midfielders: Rodrigo, Martín Zubimendi, Fabián Ruiz, Pedri, Mikel Merino, Fermín, Dani Olmo.
- Forwards: Lamine Yamal, Víctor Muñoz, Nico Williams, Álex Baena, Yeremy Pino, Mikel Oyarzabal, Ferran Torres, Roberto Fernández.
