Spain's World Cup squad notably excludes Real Madrid players for the first time

Spain's national football team will participate in the upcoming World Cup without any players from the renowned Real Madrid, a historic first for the nation. Coach Luis de la Fuente announced his 26-player squad, which notably omits any representation from the club with the most global titles.

This marks the 17th World Cup appearance for 'La Roja,' and for the first time, no Real Madrid player features on the roster. The last major tournament without a Real Madrid player was the 2021 European Championship under Luis Enrique. While the preliminary 55-man list included three Madrid players, only one had a realistic chance of selection, ultimately being left out due to a difficult season.

De la Fuente emphasized his selection criteria: "I don't look at the club or the jersey they belong to, I look at the player." This approach has led to a squad heavily featuring Barcelona players, with eight called up, and significant representation from Atlético Madrid, Athletic Bilbao, and Arsenal. Defenders like Cubarsí, Laporte, Pubill, and Eric García were chosen over Madrid's potential candidates, while players like Le Normand and Pau Torres were also excluded from the final list.

In contrast to previous tournaments, such as the 2022 Qatar World Cup where Dani Carvajal and Marco Asensio were included, this squad reflects a shift in selection philosophy. The decision highlights the coach's focus on current player performance and form over established club status.

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I don't look at the club or the jersey they belong to, I look at the player.