Injured Yamal, Williams on Spain's FIFA World Cup Squad; No Real Madrid Players Named

Madrid: Injured forwards Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams were included Monday in Spain's World Cup squad.

Yamal and Williams sustained muscle injuries late in the season but coach Luis de la Fuente said he expects them to be fit for the start of the World Cup.

Spain opens its campaign against Cape Verde in Group H on June 15 in Atlanta. It then faces Saudi Arabia on June 21 in Atlanta and Uruguay on June 26 in Guadalajara, Mexico.

For the first time there won't be a Real Madrid player in a Spain World Cup party. Defender Dean Huijsen was among the contenders for a place but he was left out by De la Fuente.

Out as expected was Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez, who sustained a fracture on his right foot this month.

Midfielder Mikel Merino, who played only once for Arsenal since injuring his foot in January, is back in the Spain squad. Also included despite a recent injury is Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Fabian Ruiz.

Spain's preparations will begin on Saturday. It plays warmup matches against Iraq on June 4 and Peru on June 9.

It rebounded from a round-of-16 elimination by Morocco at the 2022 World Cup by winning Euro 2024 in Germany. La Roja also won the 2023 Nations League and was runner-up to Portugal in the 2025 edition.

Spain hasn't gone further than the last 16 in the World Cup since its lone title triumph in 2010.

Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), David Raya (Arsenal), Joan Garcia (Barcelona)

Defenders: Marc Cucurella (Chelsea), Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen), Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid), Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Bilbao), Pedro Porro (Tottenham), Eric Garcia (Barcelona), Marc Pubill (Atletico Madrid)

Midfielders: Rodri (Manchester City), Martin Zubimendi (Arsenal), Pedri (Barcelona), Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Mikel Merino (Arsenal), Fabian Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain), Gavi (Barcelona)

Forwards: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Yeremi Pino (Crystal Palace), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Victor Munoz (Osasuna), Alex Baena (Atletico Madrid), Borja Iglesias (Celta Vigo), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao).