Spain is aiming to continue their successful run from the Euro 2024 tournament and make history by winning the FIFA World Cup for the second time in 2026. Under the guidance of coach Luis de la Fuente, the team enters the upcoming World Cup as the second-highest-ranked national team and one of the favorites to claim the title. However, the squad is currently facing a series of injury concerns at a critical moment, which could impact the final selection of players.
Lamine Yamal, a key attacking player, is in a race against time to recover and be fit for the group stage. Additionally, Nico Williams, another important forward, has suffered a new injury during a match with Athletic Club. These setbacks mean that De La Fuente will have difficult decisions to make when finalizing his squad for the tournament.
Here is an overview of the key details regarding Spain’s World Cup preparations, including the timing of the squad announcement and where the team will be based in North America during the group stage.
When is Spain’s World Cup Roster Announcement?
At this point, there has not been an official date announced for the Spain World Cup roster. According to FIFA regulations, teams must submit a provisional list of players by May 11, and the final, reduced list must be submitted no later than May 30. This gives the coaching staff time to assess player fitness and make necessary adjustments before the tournament begins.
How Many Players Are in Spain’s World Cup Roster?
The final squad must include a minimum of 23 players and a maximum of 26. In addition, at least three of these players must be goalkeepers. Alongside the players, up to 27 team officials will accompany the squad on their journey to the World Cup.
Can Spain Replace Players in Their World Cup Roster?
FIFA allows teams to make changes to their squad due to injury or illness, provided the change is made no later than 24 hours before their first scheduled game. Medical evidence must be submitted to FIFA for approval. Spain’s opening Group H match is against Saudi Arabia on June 21 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, meaning any replacements would need to be finalized by June 20. After that, the squad is considered set for the rest of the tournament.
There is an exception for goalkeepers: if any of the three goalkeepers are injured or ill and need to withdraw, they can be replaced by another goalkeeper from the provisional list at any point during the competition, subject to FIFA’s approval.
Where Is Spain’s World Cup Hotel and Training Camp?
Spain will be based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, during the World Cup. The team has chosen the Embassy Suites by Hilton in the city’s downtown area as their hotel. Training sessions will take place at Baylor School, a private institution with a long history located near Lookout Mountain.
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) praised the facilities, noting that they were used by Auckland City during last year’s Club World Cup. They described the complex as one of the top high-performance sports centers in the United States, fully equipped to meet the needs of the reigning European champions and current FIFA world number one.
