The coach of the Spanish National Team, Luis de la Fuente, stated that his team has a solid base of 22 players for the upcoming call-up for the 2026 World Cup. In a press conference ahead of the friendly match against Egypt, De la Fuente expressed his desire to ‘refresh the team’ and confirmed that he has ‘made the decision’ regarding the starting eleven, although he did not reveal any details.
The coach emphasized the importance of competing at the highest level, stating: ‘We are going to field a very competitive team, the best players to try to win.’ He also mentioned that the match is crucial for maintaining the top position in the FIFA ranking and stressed that the players must meet expectations.
Regarding the situation of Joan García, who left Espanyol to join Barcelona, he suggested that fans support the national team and set aside any resentment. He also praised the development of Lamine Yamal, although he did not specify whether he would be a starter.
Finally, De la Fuente expressed optimism about the recovery of Nico Williams and Mikel Merino for the World Cup squad, while mentioning that Eric García has ‘every possibility’ of being called up. ‘There is still a long way to go. Hopefully, Eric will be fully recovered,’ he concluded.
