Lamine Yamal Joins Spain Squad as Real Madrid Omitted

Spain will head to the World Cup with its brightest young star on board – and without a single Real Madrid player in the squad for the first time.

Lamine Yamal, still only 18 and racing the clock after a torn left hamstring in April, has been named in Luis de la Fuente’s 26-man list. The Barcelona forward missed the final month of the season after suffering the injury on 22 April, but Spain are backing his recovery and his talent.

He is not the only attacker coming in off the treatment table. Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams, who has also been managing a hamstring problem, is included as well, underlining De la Fuente’s faith in the pace and direct running that have reshaped Spain’s forward line over the past year.

The coach struck a calm note when asked about the fitness risks he is taking.

“We're very relaxed. Barring any setbacks, we'll have everyone available from the very first match,” said De la Fuente, making it clear he expects both Yamal and Williams to be ready when the tournament begins.

The headline omission comes from Madrid. For the first time, no Real Madrid player makes a Spain World Cup squad. Defenders Dean Huijsen and Dani Carvajal, both involved in recent discussions around the national team, have been left out as De la Fuente leans fully into a new generation shaped elsewhere.

A bold list, big absences, and a teenage star coming back from injury: Spain will not go quietly into this World Cup.