Two months after winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Luis de la Fuente unveiled his first squad as the head coach of the two-time world champions. The core of the team that lifted the trophy against Argentina remains virtually intact, although four names are missing from the group that competed at the World Cup: Marcos Llorente, Joan García, Gavi and Borja Iglesias.
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Spain Begins a New Era: Luis de la Fuente’s Changes After the World Cup
The second star is already on the badge, but for Spain, the journey begins again.
There is no single reason behind their absences. One is the result of a definitive decision, another is due to injury, while the remaining changes have allowed the head coach to make room for players arriving in better form for the first international break of the season.
In their place, Josep Martínez, Dean Huijsen, Fermín López and Roberto Fernández have been included in a 26-man squad to begin the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League.
Marcos Llorente Closes His Chapter With Spain
Marcos Llorente’s situation is different from the others because there is no longer a battle to regain his place.
The Atlético Madrid player announced his retirement from international soccer on September 3 at the age of 31. He walks away after 27 international appearances and two World Cup campaigns, closing his chapter with the greatest prize possible: becoming a 2026 FIFA World Cup champion.
Llorente explained that he had been considering the decision for some time and that his farewell did not depend on whether Spain had won the World Cup.
His place among the defenders has been taken by Dean Huijsen, who returns to a De la Fuente squad.
Joan García and Gavi, Two Barcelona Absentees
Joan García’s situation changed almost at the last minute.
The FC Barcelona goalkeeper suffered a knee injury and will be unable to join the national team. De la Fuente decided to call up Josep Martínez, the Inter Milan goalkeeper who receives his first senior Spain call-up.
The other Barcelona absentee is Gavi.
The midfielder is carrying a one-match suspension following the incidents in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final against Argentina and has also recently returned from physical problems that have affected his start to the season.
This time, De la Fuente has opened the door for Fermín López, who returns to the national team after regaining regular playing time with FC Barcelona.
Roberto Fernández Earns His Opportunity With Goals
The most intriguing change comes in attack.
Borja Iglesias is not part of this squad after a start to the season affected by physical problems. His absence creates an opportunity for one of the most in-form Spanish strikers at the moment.
Roberto Fernández has scored six goals in his first six matches for Espanyol and, at 24 years old, has earned his first call-up to the senior national team.
The striker is already familiar with the federation's setup after representing Spain at youth level and competing in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship, but he will now have his first opportunity with the world champions.
And the schedule will not provide much time to settle in.
Spain will begin its UEFA Nations League campaign against England on September 26 at Wembley Stadium. It will then host Croatia at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán, face the Czech Republic at the Carlos Tartiere and close the international window with another match against Croatia, this time in Split.
Four matches in just 11 days to begin a new chapter.
World champion Spain retains virtually its entire core, but the competition for places begins again from scratch. And Luis de la Fuente’s first squad shows that even after lifting the World Cup, there is always room for new faces.
Luis de la Fuente Castillo
Spain
