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Spanish manager Luis de la Fuente has named a 26-man World Cup squad featuring eight Barcelona players and none from Real Madrid. It is the first time in history that Spain will travel to a World Cup without a single Real Madrid player in their roster. The selection for next month's tournament relies heavily on the Catalan contingent, despite Real Madrid's status as 15-time Champions League winners and Spain’s position as a tournament favorite.
Defenders Dean Huijsen and Dani Carvajal were among the Real Madrid names to miss out, leaving Barcelona to provide the spine of a team chasing Spain's second World Cup title after their 2010 triumph in South Africa.
De la Fuente played down the absence of the club's players, preferring to highlight those who are in the squad.
"I'm the manager and I don't look at where the players come from. They're national team players; I don't look at one club or another. I don't have the same local bias that a fan might have. All I want is for these players to feel proud to represent the national team," De la Fuente told reporters.
Barcelona's contingent includes Joan Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, Gavi, Pedri, Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres, while seven players called up are based in the Premier League.
"Excitement is the key word. Passion," De la Fuente said.
"The reaction of people all over Spain - adults and children alike - is that they are fully behind the national team. It is an honour for me to represent the national team."
Arsenal provide three of Spain's Premier League-based players in goalkeeper David Raya and midfielders Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino, while Manchester City's Rodri gives De la Fuente a commanding presence in midfield.
The coach also addressed the injury concern regarding Yamal and Nico Williams, who will arrive at the tournament nursing hamstring issues.
