Luis Enrique’s Spain revamp is almost complete, as La Furia Roja eye a World Cup adventure with a wonderful squad packed full of red-hot talent and big-stage experience.
According to Marca, Spain’s provisional list will be released on Friday, October 28, while AS reports that the federation will not release the extended list at all. Either way, both of Spain’s top sports outlets have been running with several names reportedly on the 55-man roster. Spain’s final 26-man squad is expected on Friday, November 11.
Spain are enjoying positive results at Euro 2021, reaching the semi-finals with the likes of Pedri and Ferran Torres breathing life into the team. They also advanced to the 2021 UEFA Nations League final, losing to France on a goal with 10 minutes remaining.
They were positive signs as Spain move on from their golden generation, which helped them win the 2010 World Cup. This was followed by a surprise group stage exit in 2014 and a last-16 exit in Russia four years later.
But now with younger and even stronger talent to choose from for Qatar, Spain must be considered one of the main contenders for this year’s crown.
Spain World Cup provisional squad 2022
Enrique had until Friday, October 21 to submit an official preliminary list of 35-55 players to FIFA, from which he will select a final 26-man roster for Qatar by Monday, November 14. Spanish reports say the final roster will be shared on Friday, November 11.
Based on reports by Marca and AS, these are the players that can still dream of making the final roster. The return of Chelsea’s in-form goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and the presence of Iago Aspas on the unpublished list stand out (Aspas hasn’t played for La Roja since 2019).
Among the noticeable absences will reportedly be Manchester United’s David De Gea and PSG’s Fabian Ruiz.
PSG veteran Sergio Ramos is also on the expanded list, as well as Girona right-back Arnau Martinez, who has no previous senior international experience. There are 10 Barcelona players and just two from Real Madrid (Marco Asensio and Dani Carvajal) who apparently made the first cut.
| Position | Player | Club | Age | Caps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Kepa Arrizabalaga | Chelsea (ENG) | 28 | 11 |
| Goalkeeper | David Raya | Brentford (ENG) | 27 | 1 |
| Goalkeeper | Robert Sanchez | Brighton (ENG) | 24 | 1 |
| Goalkeeper | David Soria | Getafe (SPA) | 29 | 0 |
| Goalkeeper | Unai Simon | Athletic Bilbao (SPA) | 25 | 27 |
| Defender | Jordi Alba | Barcelona (SPA) | 33 | 86 |
| Defender | Marcos Alonso | Barcelona (SPA) | 31 | 9 |
| Defender | Cesar Azpilicueta | Chelsea (ENG) | 33 | 41 |
| Defender | Alejandro Balde | Barcelona (SPA) | 19 | 0 |
| Defender | Dani Carvajal | Real Madrid (SPA) | 30 | 30 |
| Defender | Jose Gaya | Valencia (SPA) | 27 | 18 |
| Defender | Eric Garcia | Barcelona (SPA) | 21 | 18 |
| Defender | Hugo Guillamon | Valencia (SPA) | 22 | 3 |
| Defender | Aymeric Laporte | Manchester City (ENG) | 28 | 15 |
| Defender | Diego Llorente | Leeds United (ENG) | 29 | 10 |
| Defender | Arnau Martinez | Girona (SPA) | 19 | 0 |
| Defender | Inigo Martinez | Athletic Bilbao (SPA) | 31 | 19 |
| Defender | Sergio Ramos | PSG (FRA) | 36 | 180 |
| Defender | Pau Torres | Villarreal (SPA) | 25 | 21 |
| Midfielder | Sergio Busquets | Barcelona (SPA) | 36 | 146 |
| Midfielder | Sergio Canales | Real Betis (SPA) | 31 | 10 |
| Midfielder | Gavi | Barcelona (SPA) | 18 | 12 |
| Midfielder | Koke | Atletico Madrid (SPA) | 30 | 67 |
| Midfielder | Marcos Llorente | Atletico Madrid (SPA) | 27 | 17 |
| Midfielder | Brais Mendez | Real Sociedad (SPA) | 25 | 4 |
| Midfielder | Mikel Merino | Real Sociedad (SPA) | 26 | 11 |
| Midfielder | Dani Olmo | RB Leipzig (GER) | 24 | 24 |
| Midfielder | Pedri | Barcelona (SPA) | 19 | 14 |
| Midfielder | Sergi Roberto | Barcelona (SPA) | 30 | 11 |
| Midfielder | Rodri | Manchester City (ENG) | 26 | 34 |
| Midfielder | Oihan Sancet | Athletic Bilbao (SPA) | 22 | 0 |
| Midfielder | Carlos Soler | PSG (FRA) | 25 | 11 |
| Midfielder | Thiago | Liverpool (ENG) | 31 | 46 |
| Forward | Marco Asensio | Real Madrid (SPA) | 26 | 29 |
| Forward | Iago Aspas | Celta Vigo (SPA) | 35 | 18 |
| Forward | Ansu Fati | Barcelona (SPA) | 19 | 4 |
| Forward | Borja Iglesias | Real Betis (SPA) | 29 | 1 |
| Forward | Alvaro Morata | Atletico Madrid (SPA) | 29 | 57 |
| Forward | Mikel Oyarzabal | Real Sociedad (SPA) | 25 | 21 |
| Forward | Yeremi Pino | Villarreal (SPA) | 19 | 6 |
| Forward | Gerard Moreno | Villarreal (SPA) | 30 | 17 |
| Forward | Rodrigo Moreno | Leeds United (ENG) | 31 | 27 |
| Forward | Pablo Sarabia | PSG (FRA) | 30 | 24 |
| Forward | Ferran Torres | Barcelona (SPA) | 22 | 30 |
| Forward | Nico Williams | Athletic Bilbao (SPA) | 20 | 2 |
Final 26-man Spain World Cup roster
Spain meet with Jordan for a World Cup warm-up on November 17, by which time Enrique will have announced his squad for the tournament.
Here’s a projected look at a plausible 26-man list, assuming all his players are fit and ready.
One big injury to watch will be the availability of Barcelona full-back Sergi Roberto, who suffered a dislocated shoulder in late October and his recovery time has yet to be determined.
| Position | Player | Club | Age | Caps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | David Raya | Brentford (ENG) | 27 | 1 |
| Goalkeeper | Robert Sanchez | Brighton (ENG) | 24 | 1 |
| Goalkeeper | Unai Simon | Athletic Bilbao (SPA) | 25 | 7 |
| Defender | Jordi Alba | Barcelona (SPA) | 33 | 86 |
| Defender | Marcos Alonso | Barcelona (SPA) | 31 | 9 |
| Defender | Cesar Azpilicueta | Chelsea (ENG) | 33 | 41 |
| Defender | Dani Carvajal | Real Madrid (SPA) | 30 | 30 |
| Defender | Eric Garcia | Barcelona (SPA) | 21 | 18 |
| Defender | Jose Gaya | Valencia (SPA) | 27 | 18 |
| Defender | Aymeric Laporte | Manchester City (ENG) | 28 | 15 |
| Defender | Pau Torres | Villarreal (SPA) | 25 | 21 |
| Midfielder | Sergio Busquets | Barcelona (SPA) | 36 | 146 |
| Midfielder | Gavi | Barcelona (SPA) | 18 | 12 |
| Midfielder | Koke | Atletico Madrid (SPA) | 30 | 67 |
| Midfielder | Marcos Llorente | Atletico Madrid (SPA) | 27 | 17 |
| Midfielder | Dani Olmo | RB Leipzig (GER) | 24 | 24 |
| Midfielder | Pedri | Barcelona (SPA) | 19 | 14 |
| Midfielder | Sergi Roberto | Barcelona (SPA) | 30 | 11 |
| Midfielder | Rodri | Manchester City (ENG) | 26 | 34 |
| Midfielder | Carlos Soler | PSG (FRA) | 25 | 11 |
| Midfielder | Thiago | Liverpool (ENG) | 31 | 46 |
| Forward | Marco Asensio | Real Madrid (SPA) | 26 | 29 |
| Forward | Ansu Fati | Barcelona (SPA) | 19 | 4 |
| Forward | Alvaro Morata | Atletico Madrid (SPA) | 29 | 57 |
| Forward | Pablo Sarabia | PSG (FRA) | 30 | 24 |
| Forward | Ferran Torres | Barcelona (SPA) | 22 | 30 |
Spain best player, national team strengths & weaknesses
Stars
Spain will bring a well-balanced, star-packed squad to Qatar. Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba among the last remaining members of the golden generation — both likely to be playing their final World Cup.
Barcelona trio Ferran Torres, Pedri and Gavi will add the star power from the new breed of Spanish talent.
Strengths
Spain’s veterans will provide the backbone, but the key to glory lies in their young talents. Gavi (18), Pedri (19), Ansu Fati (19) and Ferran Torres (22) are already established names but could announce themselves as true superstars in Qatar.
They’ll provide the creative spark to keep Spain partying deep into the tournament.
Weaknesses
Alvaro Morata has bagged an average of nearly one goal every two games for Spain, but he’s a much less reliable focal point than predecessors Fernando Torres and David Villa.
The Atletico Madrid striker, who has fallen short of his massive potential up to now, holds the opportunity to make a statement this year. There will certainly be no shortage of chances created for him.
Spain World Cup group
It’s a tricky Group E that awaits Spain in Qatar. If they can overcome this test unscathed, the other leading challengers will likely sit up and take notice.
Costa Rica and Japan have both reached the knockout rounds in recent times, while 2014 world champions Germany are rock solid once again after a catastrophic time in Russia and disappointment at Euro 2021.
Spain World Cup fixtures and match schedule
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Wed, Nov. 23 | Spain vs. Costa Rica | 11:00 a.m. | Al Thumama Stadium |
| Sun, Nov. 27 | Spain vs. Germany | 2:00 p.m. | Al Bayt Stadium |
| Thu, Dec. 1 | Spain vs. Japan | 2:00 p.m. | Khalifa International Stadium |
