Real Madrid veteran defender Dani Carvajal has been notably left out of Spain’s preliminary 55-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a decision that signals a significant shift for the national team under manager Luis de la Fuente. The omission of the 34-year-old right-back comes as De la Fuente prepares his roster for the tournament set to take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico in June and July.
A decorated career, an unexpected omission
The preliminary list, which requires a minimum of 35 and a maximum of 55 players by the May 11 deadline, will eventually be whittled down to a final 26-man squad. Carvajal’s absence is particularly striking given his stature and extensive experience. According to MARCA, De la Fuente personally communicated the news to the player.
“Luis de la Fuente himself explained a few days ago that he had spoken on the phone with Dani Carvajal, probably to tell the news to a player who has been an indisputable part of the coach’s plans whenever he has been available and who will not be at the World Cup,” MARCA reported, with COPE radio journalist Arancha Rodriguez also confirming the exclusion. This move is being widely interpreted as “the end of an era” for Carvajal with the national team, where he is considered one of Spain’s senior figures.
A Real Madrid first-team player since 2013, Carvajal has amassed over 300 league appearances for his club. His illustrious career includes:
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- 4 La Liga titles
- 06 Champions League titles
- European champion at club level (Champions League with Real Madrid) in 2024
- European champion at country level (European Championship with Spain) in 2024
He has earned 52 senior caps for Spain and serves as captain for Real Madrid. His exclusion follows a trophyless 2025-26 season for Real Madrid, though his individual achievements in 2024 were considerable.
De la Fuente’s squad selection hints at new direction
While Carvajal misses out, De la Fuente has included other Real Madrid talents in the preliminary selection, such as Huijsen, Fran Garcia, and Gonzalo García. Fran Garcia, a left-back, made his Spain debut in 2023 and has earned 2 senior caps. He has also started 5 of Real Madrid’s last 8 La Liga matches, indicating his recent form.
The preliminary squad also features a strong contingent from FC Barcelona, with nine players making the cut:
- Joan García
- Eric García
- Cubarsí
- Dani Olmo
- Pedri
- Fermin Lopez
- Gavi
- Ferran Torres
- Lamine Yamal
De la Fuente’s decision to omit a player of Carvajal’s experience and decorated history underscores a clear intent to refresh the squad ahead of the World Cup. With 48 squads and 1248 players ultimately traveling to the global showpiece, the competition for places is fierce, and the Spain manager appears ready to back a new generation.
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Sources: www.sportbible.com, www.marca.com
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