Real Madrid’s captain, Dani Carvajal, will not be participating in the upcoming 2026 World Cup as he has been left out of Spain’s preliminary squad by manager Luis de la Fuente. This decision comes as a surprise, as the veteran right-back had expressed hope for an international swansong.
While the final 26-man squad for the World Cup is not expected until May 30th, nations were required to submit a longer list of 55 players this week. Reports have been circulating about the inclusions and exclusions from this extended list, with some details about the final squad also emerging. It is understood that Barcelona midfielder Gavi will be part of the final selection, alongside his club teammates Joan Garcia and Pau Cubarsi. However, players like Eric Garcia face an anxious wait to learn their fate.
Carvajal’s Injury and Exclusion
Luis de la Fuente had previously confirmed he was in contact with Carvajal regarding a potential return to the Spanish national team. The manager had suggested he would assess Carvajal’s fitness before making a final decision. Carvajal resumed training with Real Madrid on Wednesday after recovering from a minor hamstring injury. However, it appears his return to form has not been sufficient to convince de la Fuente, with Cadena Cope reporting his exclusion from the squad.
Alvaro Morata Also Not Considered for World Cup
Other Real Madrid players named in the preliminary squad include Dean Huijsen, Fran Garcia, and Gonzalo Garcia. However, only the central defender, Huijsen, is believed to have a strong chance of making the final cut. Another prominent figure from Spain’s 2024 European Championship triumph, captain Alvaro Morata, has also been left out. The former Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid striker had been absent from de la Fuente’s squads for the past year and has not found consistent form at his current club, Como, in Serie A.