Spain’s national team is poised to unveil its squad for upcoming qualifiers, with the announcement expected at 12:30 today. The list will feature players from Georgia and Cyprus fixtures, part of the qualification phase for next year’s European Championship. Among the possible inclusions is the young Lamine Yamal, whose rise has sparked widespread debate inside the RFEF as well as attention from La Rioja’s football circles.
The head coach will address the media at Ciudad del Fútbol de Las Rozas in Madrid, a week after he attended the federation’s Extraordinary General Assembly. It was there that the federation’s president faced questions after declaring he would not resign in the wake of a controversial kiss, an incident that dominated headlines and sparked intense discussion within Spanish football. Jenni Hermoso’s involvement has also been a point of reference in the ongoing discourse.
Public reaction to the speech delivered by De la Fuente drew mixed reviews, while FIFA temporarily suspended the federation president from office on the same day. A formal statement condemning Rubiales’ conduct followed, underscoring the desire from many sectors that the appropriate bodies resolve the matter swiftly and announce concrete decisions.
From a sporting standpoint, De la Fuente’s position enjoys support from RFEF vice president Pedro Rocha as he prepares to present the first-call list after last season’s Nations League triumph. A notable feature could be the inclusion of FC Barcelona’s emerging winger Lamine Yamal, who is just 16 years old and already turning heads on the international stage.
Xavi Hernández, who has firsthand experience with Spain’s youth teams and recently shone for the Under-17s, has also been mentioned as someone who could influence the senior squad’s composition. His recent call-ups and performances, including a standout display against Villarreal, have increased anticipation about his potential role with the national team. While his eligibility extends through a different national pathway, his connection to the country remains a talking point as De la Fuente weighs options for the forward line and midfield dynamic.
In another development, veteran Jordi Alba is widely expected to step away from international duties, with reports suggesting his retirement could be announced this week. If confirmed, this would leave a vacancy on the left flank that players like Alejandro Balde, Fran García, José Luis Gayà, or Juan Miranda could contend to fill, especially after Balde’s return from injury in the prior campaign.
Pedri González, the Barcelona midfielder, is reportedly unavailable due to an injury that could influence squad selection. The roster may also consider players who left Europe in June, such as Aymeric Laporte, Sergio Canales, and Rodrigo Moreno, though their inclusion remains uncertain until the final list is released.
Meanwhile, Nico Williams of Athletic Club could be in contention for a return, having demonstrated strong form at the season’s outset after missing the Nations League campaign due to injury. Cesar Azpilicueta, who has appeared for Atletico Madrid, might also be recalled to bolster the squad’s options on the wings.
The final squad is set to be announced on Monday, September 4, at 1:00 p.m. in Ciudad del Fútbol. Preparations will begin for home games against Georgia on Friday the 8th and Cyprus on Tuesday the 12th, to be held at the Nuevo Los Cármenes Stadium in Granada. The approach aims to balance youth and experience while navigating the team’s current transitional phase and maintaining competitive momentum ahead of next year’s European championship qualifiers. (Source: multiple Spanish sports outlets and federation communications)