Spain’s World Cup squad excludes Real Madrid players – 260M valuation gap with Germany
Spain’s 2026 World Cup squad, announced by manager Luis de la Fuente, excludes all Real Madrid players. The 26-man roster is valued at €260 million more than Germany’s squad.
De la Fuente named players including Rodri Hernández, Lamine Yamal, and Álvaro Morata in the final selection. Midfielder Gavi Piqué was omitted despite his La Roja experience.
Real Madrid’s exclusion contrasts with Spain’s 2022 World Cup squad, which included players like Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy. The omission reflects De la Fuente’s tactical preferences.
Can Ancelotti become the first Italian to lift the World Cup with Brazil?
The valuation gap highlights Spain’s depth in young talent compared to Germany’s more established squad. Spain’s average player age is 24.8, while Germany’s is 27.1. Spain’s squad value ranks among the highest in the tournament, trailing only France and England. Germany’s squad is valued at €780 million, Spain’s at €1.04 billion. De la Fuente emphasized squad cohesion and fitness as key factors in his selections. Spain opens its World Cup campaign against Brazil on June 12.