Spain's Squad Changes for UEFA Nations League: Key Updates

Spain’s world champions are back in business, and Luis de la Fuente has made it clear: nobody’s seat is guaranteed.

The Spain coach has named his squad for the start of La Roja’s 2026–2027 UEFA Nations League campaign, introducing four changes to the group that lifted the World Cup. The title defence begins with a heavyweight trip to Wembley to face England in a week’s time, the first stop in a demanding four-game international window.

After London, Spain return home to host Croatia on the 29th at the Sánchez-Pizjuán, then face the Czech Republic in Oviedo on the 3rd. The window closes with a second clash against Croatia, this time in Split. It’s a sequence that will test both the depth and the hunger of a side that has already conquered Europe and the world.

De la Fuente has kept the backbone of his champions, but the message behind the tweaks is sharp: the door is open to everyone, and staying inside it requires constant, ruthless performance. Four of the 26 players who went to the World Cup are out of this squad.

Goalkeeper shake-up: injury opens the door

One absence was unavoidable. Joan García suffered a right knee injury after a fall in a match against Racing, ruling him out of this international break and forcing a change in goal.

De la Fuente has responded by recalling Inter Milan’s Josep Martínez, who returns to the national team setup for the first time since June 2021. His previous appearance came in extraordinary circumstances, when Spain were forced to field a second-string side against Lithuania after the first team went into isolation following positive coronavirus tests for Sergio Busquets and Diego Llorente.

Now Martínez re-emerges in a very different context: not as an emergency option, but as part of a champion squad.

Defence: Huijsen back, Eric García fills Llorente void

On the right side of defence, the change had been coming. Marcos Llorente announced his retirement from international football on 3 September, creating a vacancy that De la Fuente has moved quickly to fill.

He has turned to Eric García, who has played every minute in that role for his club this season and now carries that responsibility into the national team. Alongside him, Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen returns to the squad after missing the World Cup, adding fresh competition in the back line.

Midfield: Fermín returns, Gavi ruled out

The biggest headline in midfield is the absence of Gavi. The Barcelona midfielder drops out after his minutes dwindled following a new knee problem suffered against Elche. He had started Spain’s opening World Cup match against Cape Verde but could not hold his place due to injury, and his situation has not eased.

The blow was compounded when FIFA’s appeals committee rejected the Spanish federation’s attempt to suspend the ban imposed on Gavi over events in the World Cup final, closing the door on any late reprieve.

In contrast, Fermín López is back. The Barcelona midfielder, a key figure for De la Fuente before the World Cup, missed the tournament with a foot injury picked up on the final matchday of last season. Now he returns to the coach’s plans with a clear chance to reclaim his influence in the heart of the team.

Attack: a new Spanish goalscorer steps up

Up front, De la Fuente has made a bold call. Borja Iglesias, a trusted option during the World Cup, is out. His place goes to Espanyol striker Roberto Fernández, who has surged to the top of the race for the Zarra Trophy, awarded to the best Spanish scorer in the league.

That form has pushed him past rivals Camello, Espí and Gonzalo in the battle for a national team spot. Now he arrives as Spain’s in-form domestic finisher, stepping into a dressing room full of champions with a clear mandate: keep scoring.

Spain squad for the Nations League

Goalkeepers: Unai Simón, David Raya, Josep Martínez.

Defence: Pedro Porro, Eric García, Pau Cubarsí, Laporte, Vivian, Dean Huijsen, Cucurella, Grimaldo.

Midfield: Rodri, Zubimendi, Pedri, Fabián Ruiz, Mikel Merino, Dani Olmo, Baena, Fermín López.

Attack: Nico Williams, Yeremy Pino, Oyarzabal, Ferran Torres, Roberto Fernández, Lamine Yamal, Víctor Muñoz.

World and European champions, a refreshed squad, and Wembley on the horizon. The question now is not what Spain have done, but how long they can stay on top while the competition closes in.