Squad announcement for the start of World Cup qualification

In a squad announcement dedicated to honoring the hundreds of men and women who have bravely fought the devastating wildfires across much of the country, national coach Luis de la Fuente chose to stand alongside firefighters at the Central Station in Las Rozas, Madrid, expressing gratitude for their work and sacrifice on behalf of Spanish society.

De la Fuente has unveiled a 26-man squad to begin Spain’s journey toward next year’s FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. La Selección arrives at this qualifying campaign after winning the most recent European Championship and reaching the final of the UEFA Nations League last June — achievements that highlight both the solidity of the project and the competitiveness of the group on the international stage. The immediate challenge now lies in securing qualification for the tournament, which will be held in North America from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Spain has been drawn into Group E alongside Bulgaria, Turkey, and Georgia.

The opening fixtures against Bulgaria and Turkey present a demanding start to the qualifying phase, with two away matches: Thursday, September 4 at the Vasil Levski National Stadium in Sofia, and Sunday, September 7 at the Büyükşehir Belediye Stadium in Konya. Both matches will kick off at 20:45 CET. This will mark the first time the senior national team has played in Bulgaria and in the Turkish city of Konya.