Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has officially submitted his 55-man preliminary squad for the 2026 World Cup to FIFA, and once again, FC Barcelona is at the heart of the national team's plans. The Catalan club will be heavily represented in this summer's tournament across North America, with several key players expected to secure spots in the final 26-man roster.
According to reports, Barcelona continues to form a cornerstone of La Roja's setup, with a remarkable nine players from the Blaugrana squad making the preliminary list. Regulars like Dani Olmo, Ferran Torres, Pedri, Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsi, and Fermin Lopez are all included and widely expected to feature in the final squad. Their consistent performances for both club and country have made them indispensable to De la Fuente's vision.
Perhaps the most exciting developments are the returns of Gavi and Eric Garcia. After a long and challenging injury layoff, Gavi's comeback has been nothing short of inspiring, and his inclusion signals his full recovery and return to top form. Eric Garcia, meanwhile, has enjoyed an impressive season under Hansi Flick, showcasing the consistency and versatility that have earned him renewed trust from the national team manager.
Another name to watch is star goalkeeper Joan Garcia, who made his Spain debut during the March international break and has now earned a spot on the 55-man probables list. His rapid rise adds depth to an already talented goalkeeping pool.
However, not all Barcelona stars made the cut. Two notable absentees are Gerard Martin and Alejandro Balde. Martin has grown into a key starter during the second half of the season, particularly as a left-sided center-back alongside Cubarsi, but he ultimately missed out on this initial selection. Balde's omission is also significant, as competition at left-back remains fierce for Spain. The likes of Marc Cucurella, Alejandro Grimaldo, and even Sergio Gomez currently sit ahead of the Barcelona full-back in De la Fuente's pecking order.
Additionally, there is no place for young midfielders who might have hoped for a call-up, highlighting the depth of talent available to the Spanish manager. As the World Cup approaches, all eyes will be on how these preliminary selections evolve into the final squad.