Jorge Vilda, the head coach of Spain’s women’s national team, announced a squad for upcoming fixtures against Sweden in Córdoba and Pamplona. The roster featured a mix of Real Madrid players who had earned a place in the senior side and others who had previously appeared for Spain at youth levels. None of the 16 selected players had publicly asked not to be called up, signaling a negotiated balance between club commitments and national duties.
Six players were set to make their competitive debuts with the senior team: Enith Salón, Ana Tejada, Nuria Rábano, María Méndez, Ane Azkona, and Salma Paralluelo, who was included despite a thigh issue. The announcement listed the players as called for the two matches. The matches were scheduled for 7 October in Córdoba and 11 October in Pamplona, with television coverage provided by the national broadcaster and regional partners, underscoring Spain’s ongoing promotion of women’s football.
These are the players summoned for the next games, as reported by the Spanish women’s federation. The sequence of dates and venues highlighted the team’s regional presence and the reach of the sport across Spain.
— The federation’s official account noted the two match days and the broadcast plan, inviting fans to watch closely as the squad prepared to compete on home soil. This message appeared in late September as part of a broader communications effort to engage supporters and raise the profile of the women’s team.
Throw the stone and hide the hand
At 16:30, Vilda held a press conference at Ciudad del Fútbol in Las Rozas to address the gathering and the absence of certain players who had stepped back from national duty. He began with gratitude for the backing from coaches across the federation and emphasized that he would not let non-constructive speculation derail the team. He acknowledged that criticism had arisen from unclear messages and alleged rumors, and stated that the truth would guide the team forward. He urged respect for players who decided not to join the October squad and asserted that there would be no coercion or pressure placed on them.
He later asserted that he never contemplated resigning and that the work for the upcoming World Cup cycle remained in progress. When pressed about potential solutions, he pointed to the need for a clear plan and emphasized commitment to the four remaining international windows and the World Cup ahead. Asked about non-participants, he chose not to discuss individual cases and said the situation had affected him personally and his family, characterizing the surrounding discourse as overly sensationalized.
In a public reiteration of his approach, the coach described the listed squad as his way forward, expressing readiness for dialogue with dissenting players and a willingness to listen, while acknowledging the presence of an experienced group around him. He suggested that the team deserved better treatment and implied that ongoing criticism did not reflect the reality of the squad’s work. The exchange around the European Championship performance, where the team exited in the quarterfinals, was framed as his responsibility, though he questioned whether he should bear sole blame and urged dialogue rather than rumor as the path to improvement.
He concluded with a firm statement that the current list represented his response to the situation and his hope that players would engage constructively in the future.
— A follow-up message from the federation reinforced the call for dialogue and the openness of the coaching staff to discussions with players who wished to participate at a later date. The exchange reflected broader tensions within the squad while reaffirming the federation’s commitment to the national program and the sport’s growth in Europe.
The emergence of the controversy stemmed from a preseason gathering and a wave of petitions from players expressing concerns about group management and working style. The federation confirmed that changes were considered, with some leadership updates approved, while Vilda signaled his intent to remain in charge. In subsequent days, a number of eligible players communicated their wish not to be called up in October pending reversed circumstances affecting their emotional and personal wellbeing. The group included several prominent names, with one captain remaining sidelined due to injury, and some players indicating continued support while choosing not to participate in the immediate cycle. The situation underscored the importance of leadership, communication, and player welfare in maintaining a competitive national team on the international stage.