Sixty-one days after Ferran Torres' goal made Spain world champions for a second time, Luis de la Fuente has named his first squad. Fermín López is back. Gavi is out. And Roberto Fernández — yes, the Espanyol striker — is in.
The Fernández call-up is the headline. He and Rayo Vallecano's Sergio Camello both hit six LaLiga goals to lead the domestic scoring charts, but it's the Espanyol man who takes the spot vacated by the injured Borja Iglesias. Fulham's Gonzalo García had a case as Spain U21 captain and starter. Real Madrid's Carlos Espí had made himself impossible to ignore as a substitute. De la Fuente looked at all of them and went with Fernández. First senior cap incoming.
Fermín back, Gavi left waiting
Fermín López's return was barely a secret — his form this season made it a formality. The Barcelona midfielder had been a De la Fuente regular before injury knocked him out, and he's picked up exactly where he left off. Gavi pays the price. That's a brutal way to come back from injury yourself, but form drives selection, and Fermín's form has been sharp.
Dean Huijsen earns a recall on the back of his performances for Real Madrid, giving De la Fuente two Madrid players in the squad alongside Marc Cucurella. Barcelona, for context, contributes seven. The balance of club power is reflected in the squad sheet.
In goal, Joan García's knee injury handed Josep Martínez his first senior call-up ahead of Mallorca's Leo Román. The Inter Milan keeper takes the third spot behind Unai Simón and David Raya.
Four matches, three weeks
Spain's Nations League defence opens at Wembley on September 26 against England — the team they beat in the Euro 2024 final. After that comes Croatia in Seville (September 29), Czech Republic in Oviedo (October 3), and Croatia again in Split (October 6). Four games in 21 days to set the tone for a side still riding the highest point in their recent history.
The Nations League market will factor in Rodri, Pedri, Yamal, and Williams all being available — this is close to De la Fuente's strongest hand. England at Wembley in the opener makes Spain's outright odds worth a hard look.
- Goalkeepers: Unai Simón, David Raya, Josep Martínez
- Defenders: Pedro Porro, Marc Pubill, Aymeric Laporte, Pau Cubarsí, Eric García, Dean Huijsen, Marc Cucurella, Alejandro Grimaldo
- Midfielders: Rodri, Martín Zubimendi, Fabián Ruiz, Pedri, Mikel Merino, Fermín López, Dani Olmo
- Forwards: Lamine Yamal, Víctor Muñoz, Nico Williams, Álex Baena, Yeremy Pino, Mikel Oyarzabal, Ferran Torres, Roberto Fernández
Players report to camp Tuesday. The defending Nations League champions get straight to work.
