Iván Fresneda and Pubill vie for the right‑back spot ahead of Croatia

In the City of Football, the celebration of Iván Fresneda's twenty‑second birthday turned into a corridor on the grass as the 26 players called up by Luis de la Fuente finished the final session in Las Rozas. The next day, the Spanish side will fly to Seville, where it will host Croatia in the Nations League.

A call‑up reinforced by injuries

Iván Fresneda, right‑back of Sporting CP, was added to the squad after Pedro Porro's injury. His inclusion comes from the Under‑21s, where he had shone before being called up to the senior team. Porro's absence opens a spot on the flank that Spain needs for the rest of the international window.

Marc Pubill, who made his starting debut at Wembley against England, is also in the squad as an alternative at right‑back. The withdrawal of Eric García, who left the group after a discomfort in his left knee detected during the warm‑up at Wembley, leaves Pubill and Fresneda as the two natural options to cover the position.

The return of Robin Le Normand

Robin Le Normand, centre‑back of Atlético Madrid, completed his first training with the national team after replacing Eric García. The defender dons the Spanish shirt again 348 days after his last match, a game against Bulgaria on 14 October 2025. Le Normand has earned 27 caps and scored one goal, bringing experience to the defensive unit.

Spain look to refresh squad as Luis de la Fuente prepares Croatia clash

Spain will face Croatia on Tuesday at 20:45 in the Ramón Sánchez‑Pizjuán stadium in Seville. The clash brings together the two teams that started the Nations League with a win: Spain beat England 2‑3 and Croatia overcame the Czech Republic 1‑2. It will be the first time the national team plays in front of its own fans as world champions.

Dutch referee Serdar Gözübüyük will officiate the match; he has already overseen victories of Spain over Switzerland in Geneva 2022 and against Scotland at La Cartuja 2023. After the game against Croatia, the national team will close the window on Saturday 3 October in Oviedo, where it will host the Czech Republic.

Luis de la Fuente demands rotations before Spain‑Croatia clash in Seville

With the pressure to maintain the level after the world title, Luis de la Fuente's decision between Fresneda and Pubill will be decisive for the defence. The presence of young players such as Fresneda, newly promoted from the Under‑21s, shows Spain's commitment to renewing its right‑back.