SportsPosted at: Sep 18 2026 10:41PM


Two new faces as Spain coach De la Fuente names first squad since World Cup win

Madrid, Sep 18 (UNI) Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has handed first senior call-ups to Inter Milan goalkeeper Josep Martinez and Espanyol striker Roberto Fernandez in his first squad since guiding Spain to World Cup glory this summer.
Twenty seven-year-old Martinez earns his debut call-up after Joan Garcia suffered a minor knee injury that will sideline him for around three weeks, while Fernandez is rewarded for an excellent start to the season in which he has scored six goals in La Liga.

De la Fuente has also recalled Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen, who missed the World Cup squad after his form dipped at the end of last season. Barcelona's Fermin Lopez is back after a muscle injury ended his World Cup hopes.
However, De la Fuente has resisted the temptation to call up powerful striker Carlos Espi, who has scored two match-winning goals since moving from Levante to Real Madrid. There is also no place for Fulham striker Gonzalo Garcia, who made his senior debut in Spain's World Cup warm-up match against Iran on June 4.

Spain will play four UEFA Nations League matches, beginning with a trip to face England at Wembley, followed by home games against Croatia and the Czech Republic and an away fixture against Croatia, according to Xinhua.
Full Squad: Goalkeepers: Unai Simon, Raya, Josep Martienez
Defenders: Pedro Porro, Eric Garcia, Marc Pubill, Pau Cubarsi, Dean Huijsen, Aymeric Laporte, Cucurella, Alex Grimaldo.
Midfielders: Rodri Hernandez, Pedri, Fabian Ruiz, Mikel Merino, Martin Zubimendi, Dani Olmo, Fermin Lopez.
Forwards: Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, Nico Williams, Victor Munoz, Alex Baena, Mikel Oyarzabal, Yeremy Pino, Roberto Fernandez.
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