Barcelona Dominates Spain Squad for World Cup Qualifiers; Balde and Joan García Omitted

Coach Luis de la Fuente has announced a 26-man Spain squad for the first two away matches of the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. La Roja will face Bulgaria on September 4 and Turkey on September 7.

Barcelona contributes the most players to the final squad. Seven players from the Catalan club have been included: Gavi, Pedri, Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo, Fermin Lopez, and the young defender Pau Cubarsi. These seven will carry major responsibilities in attack and midfield.

Among goalkeepers, Unai Simon (Athletic), David Raya (Arsenal), and Alex Remiro (Real Sociedad) have been selected. Defenders called up include Dani Carvajal, Robin Le Normand, Djené, Dani Vivian, Cucurella, and Alex Grimaldo.

However, goalkeeper Joan García and young left-back Alejandro Balde have again been left out. Balde’s prolonged absence from the national team increasingly diminishes his chances of playing in the upcoming World Cup.

Spain manager de la Fuente typically relies on his preferred players, making it currently difficult for García to break into the existing goalkeeper trio.

Meanwhile, experienced forward Álvaro Morata (Como), Mikel Oyarzabal, Nico Williams, and Yeremi Pino, along with Barcelona’s young talents, are expected to add extra firepower to Spain’s attack.