Spain's Preliminary Euro 2024 Squad List Excludes Marco Asensio

The PSG forward is not among the 29 players called up by Luis de la Fuente for this summer's European Championship. There are more surprises.

The first call-up for Pedri since Luis de la Fuente took over as coach of the Spanish national team, along with the inclusion of Fermín López and Ayoze Pérez, and the returns of Nacho Fernández, Aleix García, and Marcos Llorente, are the highlights of the initial 29-player squad for Euro 2024, which will be reduced to 26 players on June 8.

Players like Pau Cubarsí and Dani Vivian, who debuted as internationals in the recent friendlies against Colombia and Brazil, are included again, while Pedro Porro, Pablo Sarabia, and Gerard Moreno are left out this time.

Among the regulars, Oihan Sancet is missing due to injury. Notable exclusions include Marco Asensio, Lucas Vázquez, and Pau Torres. Alejandro Balde and Gavi are unavailable due to injuries, as are recent additions José Luis Gayá and Isco Alarcón.

The coach has retained the three goalkeepers from his recent call-ups - Unai Simón, David Raya, and Álex Remiro. In defense, he combines experience with new faces due to injuries, including Jesús Navas alongside Dani Carvajal, and new left-backs Alejandro Grimaldo and Marc Cucurella, both making their major tournament debuts.

Nacho Fernández returns to the squad, having last played for the national team in the Nations League final against Croatia in June 2023.

In midfield, De la Fuente has called up nine players, from which some will be cut. Pedri is included for the first time under De la Fuente, after missing previous call-ups due to physical issues. Pedri hasn’t played for Spain since their World Cup exit against Morocco on December 6, 2022.

Other new midfield additions include the return of Marcos Llorente and Aleix García, valued for their versatility, and the first call-up for Fermín López. Ayoze Pérez, previously included in preliminary lists but never called up, will have the chance to secure a spot through the two upcoming friendlies.

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Ferran Torres also returns to a forward lineup featuring pure strikers like Álvaro Morata and Joselu Mato and wingers such as Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal.

The 29 players will gather on Saturday, June 1, at the Ciudad del Fútbol in Las Rozas, except for Nacho, Carvajal, and Joselu due to Real Madrid’s Champions League final on the same day, and Laporte, who plays in the Saudi King’s Cup final with Al-Nassr on May 31.

Spain will play two friendlies before the Euro, on June 5 against Andorra in Badajoz and on June 8 against Northern Ireland in Palma de Mallorca. In the Euro 2024 group stage, Spain will face Croatia, Italy, and Albania.

The 29 players selected by Luis de la Fuente for the initial list, to be reduced to 26 on June 8, are:

- GOALKEEPERS

Unai Simón (Athletic Club)

David Raya (Arsenal/ENG)

Álex Remiro (Real Sociedad)

- DEFENDERS

Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid)

Jesús Navas (Sevilla)

Aymeric Laporte (Al-Nassr/KSA)

Robin Le Normand (Real Sociedad)

Nacho Fernández (Real Madrid)

Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona)