Spain's UEFA Nations League Squad: Changes and Challenges Ahead

Spain’s world champions are back in session, and Luis de la Fuente has made it clear: the throne is not a comfort zone.

The Spain coach has named his squad for the start of La Roja’s 2026–2027 UEFA Nations League campaign, making four changes to the group that lifted the World Cup. The new era begins in a fitting arena — Wembley — where Spain face England in a week’s time, the first of four games in a demanding international window.

After London, Spain head home to Seville to face Croatia at the Sánchez-Pizjuán on the 29th, then move north to Oviedo to meet the Czech Republic on the 3rd. The break closes with a second clash against Croatia, this time in Split. It’s a schedule that leaves no room for easing back in.

Core stays, message sharpens

De la Fuente has kept the spine of his World Cup-winning side. The selection underlines a simple idea: the door to the national team stays open, but staying inside it means constant pressure, constant performance. Four of the 26 players who went to the World Cup are out this time, each absence carrying its own story.

Goalkeeper twist: injury opens a door

The first change is forced. Joan García is missing after injuring his right knee in a fall during the match against Racing, ruling him out of the camp.

That setback has given Inter Milan’s Josep Martínez a route back into the national team. The goalkeeper returns to La Roja for the first time since June 2021, when he was thrown into an extraordinary night against Lithuania. Back then, De la Fuente had to send out a second-string side after the senior squad was isolated when Sergio Busquets and Diego Llorente tested positive for coronavirus. Now Martínez returns in very different circumstances, with a World Cup-winning group around him.

Defence: Huijsen back, Eric García steps into Llorente’s void

On the right side of defence, change was inevitable. Marcos Llorente’s retirement from international football, announced on 3 September, left a gap that De la Fuente has moved quickly to fill.

Eric García gets the nod in that role, a position he has occupied for every minute at club level this season. The coach has also recalled Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen, who missed the World Cup but now rejoins a back line that mixes continuity with competition.

Midfield shake: Gavi out, Fermín returns

Midfield brings one of the headline omissions. Barcelona’s Gavi drops out after his minutes shrank following a fresh knee problem against Elche. He started Spain’s opening World Cup match against Cape Verde but could not keep his place as injury struck again.

Off the pitch, his situation has been complicated by FIFA. The appeals committee rejected the Spanish federation’s request to suspend the ban imposed on Gavi over events in the World Cup final, closing off another route to his inclusion.

In contrast, Fermín López is back at the heart of De la Fuente’s plans. The Barcelona midfielder missed the World Cup with a foot injury suffered on the final day of last season, an absence that stung given how important he had been in the build-up. Now he returns to a midfield loaded with technical quality and tactical intelligence.

Up front: a new Zarra leader steps in

The main surprise comes in attack. Borja Iglesias, a trusted option during the World Cup, is out of the squad this time.

His place goes to Espanyol striker Roberto Fernández, who has surged to the front of the race for the Zarra Trophy, awarded to the top Spanish scorer in the league. His goals have pushed him ahead of rivals Camello, Espí and Gonzalo, and now they’ve pushed him into the national team picture as well.

A new name, a familiar demand: score, and keep scoring.

Spain squad for the Nations League campaign

• Goalkeepers: Unai Simón, David Raya, Josep Martínez.
• Defence: Pedro Porro, Eric García, Pau Cubarsí, Laporte, Vivian, Dean Huijsen, Cucurella, Grimaldo.
• Midfield: Rodri, Zubimendi, Pedri, Fabián Ruiz, Mikel Merino, Dani Olmo, Baena, Fermín López.
• Attack: Nico Williams, Yeremy Pino, Oyarzabal, Ferran Torres, Roberto Fernández, Lamine Yamal, Víctor Muñoz.

The medals are in the cabinet. The Nations League now asks a sharper question: can these world champions keep evolving while everyone else is chasing them down?