Luis de la Fuente named his first Spain squad since the World Cup triumph with a video filmed in Ceuta, the Spanish enclave that has been at the centre of a migration crisis since late July. The World Cup trophy featured prominently as local residents held it aloft while the coach delivered a clear message of support.
“Esta copa cuenta de dónde venimos. Estos jugadores decidirán hasta dónde vamos. El viaje continúa aquí. Esto es Ceuta, esto es España,” De la Fuente said, surrounded by children and the trophy. The video, released by the Spanish federation on Friday, accompanied the 26-man list for the opening Nations League fixtures.
Spain open Group A3 against England at Wembley on Saturday 26 September (20:45 CET / 19:45 BST / 14:45 ET), then face Croatia in Seville on 29 September, the Czech Republic in Oviedo on 3 October, and Croatia again in Split on 6 October. All kick-offs are scheduled for 20:45 CET.
The squad retains the bulk of the side that beat Argentina in the World Cup final in July. Four changes stand out. Real Madrid centre-back Dean Huijsen returns after missing the tournament. Barcelona midfielder Fermín López is back after the foot injury that ruled him out of the World Cup. Inter Milan goalkeeper Josep Martínez receives a call-up in place of the injured Joan García. Espanyol forward Roberto Fernández earns his first senior invitation, stepping in for the injured Borja Iglesias.
Marcos Llorente has retired from international football. Gavi is omitted after fitness issues in the opening weeks of the club season.
Goalkeepers: Unai Simón (Athletic Club), David Raya (Arsenal), Josep Martínez (Inter Milan)
Defenders: Pedro Porro (Tottenham), Eric García (Barcelona), Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona), Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Club), Marc Pubill (Atlético Madrid), Dean Huijsen (Real Madrid), Marc Cucurella (Real Madrid), Alejandro Grimaldo (Atlético Madrid)
Midfielders: Rodri (Barcelona), Martín Zubimendi (Arsenal), Pedri (Barcelona), Fabián Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain), Mikel Merino (Arsenal), Álex Baena (Atlético Madrid), Fermín López (Barcelona)
Forwards: Nico Williams (Athletic Club), Yeremy Pino (Crystal Palace), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Ferran Torres (Paris Saint-Germain), Roberto Fernández (Espanyol), Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Víctor Muñoz (Liverpool)
Barcelona supply seven players. Real Madrid contribute two. The list continues the core that won the 2023 Nations League, Euro 2024 and the 2026 World Cup.
The choice of Ceuta for the announcement was deliberate. De la Fuente and federation president Rafael Louzán visited the city earlier this month to offer support after an estimated 70,000 people crossed from Morocco over two days in late July. The coach’s video message and the trophy’s appearance formed the federation’s public response.
Football has already been drawn into the wider debate. Before Real Madrid’s La Liga match at Elche on Tuesday, players were asked to wear T-shirts reading “Todos somos caballas” in solidarity with Ceuta. Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior and Ibrahima Konaté rolled the shirts up so the full message was partially obscured. Mbappé later told AS: “I stand in complete solidarity with Ceuta and all the victims… but I also wanted to acknowledge the migrants who have lost their lives. I don’t want to prioritise one form of suffering over another.”
Barcelona, who have seven players in the Spain squad, have not taken part in similar club-level gestures. Other La Liga sides have shown varying levels of participation. The political temperature remains high, with opposition parties criticising government migration policy and some voices questioning Spain’s co-hosting of the 2030 World Cup with Morocco.
De la Fuente’s priority remains the pitch. Spain are defending a historic run as World Cup and European champions. The first test comes at Wembley against an England side managed by Thomas Tuchel. Croatia, still in transition, and the Czech Republic complete a group that Spain enter as favourites.
The video ends with the coach and the trophy in Ceuta. The message is unambiguous: the journey continues here.
Spain open the Nations League window with the World Cup trophy in Ceuta and four new faces in the squad.
Huijsen returns, Fermín is back, Josep Martínez and Roberto Fernández earn call-ups.
England at Wembley on 26 September is the first of four fixtures in 11 days.
