Joan García finally gets his chance with Spain

The Spain national team revealed its squad for the March international break, and the name grabbing all the headlines is Joan García. The FC Barcelona goalkeeper appears for the first time in the senior squad selected by Luis de la Fuente, becoming the standout addition in a call-up that will serve as preparation for the 2026 World Cup.

Spain will face Serbia on March 27 in Villarreal and Egypt on March 31 at the RCDE Stadium, two matches scheduled after the cancellation of the Finalissima that had originally been planned against Argentina. As a result, these games become one of the final testing windows for the Spanish coach before the global tournament.

The Catalan shot-stopper had been on the national team’s radar for some time, and he has now managed to board the “last train” toward the World Cup, entering a squad that largely maintains its core but opens the door for new faces.

Four goalkeepers and an open battle for the starting spot

One of the most striking details of the squad is that Luis de la Fuente decided to call up four goalkeepers, something relatively unusual for this type of international camp.

The selected players are:

• Unai Simón (Athletic Club)
• David Raya (Arsenal)
• Álex Remiro (Real Sociedad)
• Joan García (Barcelona)

The presence of the Barcelona goalkeeper inevitably sparks debate over who will start between the posts for La Roja. Until now, Unai Simón and David Raya have been the coach’s most trusted options, while Remiro had settled into the role of third-choice keeper.

However, the outstanding form of Joan García could shake up that hierarchy. His call-up does not appear symbolic; the coaching staff wants to observe him closely in training, evaluate his mentality, and determine whether he is ready to compete at the highest international level.

That makes these friendlies much more than simple preparation matches — they will be a real audition for the new goalkeeper in the Spain setup.

New faces and important returns in the squad

The squad is not only notable for Joan García’s inclusion. Luis de la Fuente also handed call-ups to several other debutants who have impressed throughout the season.

Among the newcomers are:

• Ander Barrenetxea
• Cristhian Mosquera
• Víctor Muñoz

At the same time, the coach welcomes back key players returning to the national team setup, including Rodri Hernández, one of the leaders of the squad, and Carlos Soler.

The list also maintains a strong core of players who have been central to Spain’s recent success, including Pedri, Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, and Mikel Oyarzabal, highlighting the coach’s continued trust in the group that has defined the team in recent competitions.

A crucial squad selection with the 2026 World Cup in mind

Beyond the individual names, this squad carries significant strategic importance. Spain are just months away from the 2026 World Cup, and every decision now begins to shape the final list that will compete for the country’s second star.

For that reason, the inclusion of Joan García is not just a reward for his performances. It is also a direct test to determine whether he can be part of the group traveling to the tournament.

There is also an emotional subplot: the second match against Egypt will be played at the RCDE Stadium, a special venue for the Catalan goalkeeper, who could potentially make his senior debut for Spain there.

Meanwhile, the Spanish national team will gather at the Ciudad del Fútbol in Las Rozas starting on March 23 to prepare for the matches. During those days, the coaching staff will evaluate every detail before making crucial decisions.

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