Yamal headlines Spain squad as Real Madrid stars miss World Cup cut

Yamal headlines Spain World Cup squad, Merino recalled

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente named the 26-man 2026 World Cup squad headlined by 18-year-old Lamine Yamal and a recalled Mikel Merino (returning from a foot fracture), with no Real Madrid player selected — a first in tournament history. Yamal's hamstring injury, which has kept him out since late April, makes him a fitness doubt for Spain's Group H opener against Cape Verde on June 15, injecting uncertainty into the defending Euro 2024 champion's attacking blueprint.