Spain’s King Felipe VI Features in 2026 World Cup Squad Video as Real Madrid Excluded for First Time
Spain’s King Felipe VI made a notable appearance in a video presentation of the national football team’s 2026 World Cup squad, marking a historic moment as the team will not include any players from Real Madrid for the first time in its history. The video, released ahead of the tournament set to take place in the United States, Mexico and Canada this June, showcases the 26 players selected by coach Luis de la Fuente.
King Felipe VI’s Role in Squad Announcement
In the three-minute video, King Felipe VI is seen alongside ordinary Spaniards from diverse backgrounds, who call out the names of each player. The monarch emphasizes, “When the national team plays, we all play,” highlighting the unity and national pride associated with the squad. This marks the first time La Selección has produced a cinematic video to present its World Cup squad, following a similar initiative by England.
Key Squad Inclusions and Exclusions
The squad features Lamine Yamal, the 18-year-old Barcelona star, who is a key figure in Spain’s recent successes, including Euro 2024. However, Yamal faces uncertainty for the tournament after sustaining a hamstring injury in late April. Mikel Merino, a midfielder for Arsenal, is included after recovering from a foot fracture, with coach de la Fuente expressing confidence in his abilities.
Notably, the squad excludes Real Madrid players for the first time, with Dean Huijsen and veteran Dani Carvajal omitted due to injury struggles. Defenders Eric García and Marc Pubill, who had standout seasons with Barcelona and Atlético Madrid respectively, have been called up, while Huijsen and Atlético’s Robin Le Normand are left out.
Squad Breakdown
The selected players include:
Goalkeepers
- Unai Simón (Athletic Bilbao)
- David Raya (Arsenal/ENG)
- Joan García (Barcelona)
Defenders
- Marcos Llorente
- Marc Pubill (Atlético Madrid)
- Pedro Porro (Tottenham/ENG)
- Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Bilbao)
- Eric García
- Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona)
- Marc Cucurella (Chelsea/ENG)
- Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen/GER)
Midfielders
- Rodri (Manchester City/ENG)
- Martin Zubimendi
- Mikel Merino (Arsenal/ENG)
- Pedri
- Gavi (Barcelona)
- Fabián Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA)
- Alex Baena (Atlético Madrid)
Forwards
- Yeremy Pino (Crystal Palace/ENG)
- Víctor Muñoz (Osasuna)
- Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad)
- Ferrán Torres
- Lamine Yamal
- Dani Olmo (Barcelona)
- Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao)
- Borja Iglesias (Celta Vigo)
The video underscores a new era for Spanish football, with a focus on emerging talent and a squad that reflects the country’s broader footballing landscape. As the 2026 World Cup approaches, the team’s preparation and performance will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.
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