Spain World Cup squad 2022: All projected 26 players on Spanish national football team roster for Qatar

Luis Enrique’s Spain revamp is almost complete, as La Furia Roja eye a World Cup tilt with a wonderful squad packed full of red-hot talent and big-stage experience. 

According to Marca, Spain’s preliminary roster will drop on Friday, October 28, while AS reports that the federation will not release the expanded list at all. Either way, both top sports outlets in Spain ran with several names that reportedly feature on the 55-man list. Spain’s final 26-man roster is expected on Friday, November 11.

Spain are coming off positive showings at Euro 2021, where they reached the semifinals with the likes of Pedri and Ferran Torres injecting life into the team. They also advanced to the 2021 UEFA Nations League final, losing to France on a goal with 10 minutes left.

These were positive signs as Spain transitions away from their golden generation that helped them win the 2010 World Cup. That was followed by a surprise group-stage exit in the 2014 edition and last-16 elimination in Russia four years later.

But now with a younger, and even stronger pool of talent to pick from for Qatar, Spain must be considered among the leading candidates for this year’s crown. 

More: Spain World Cup’s fixtures for Qatar 2022

Spain World Cup preliminary squad 2022

Enrique had until Friday, October 21 to submit an official preliminary list of 35-55 players to FIFA, from which he will select a final 26-man roster for Qatar by Monday, November 14. Spanish reports say the final roster will be shared on Friday, November 11.

Based on reports by Marca and AS, these are the players that can still dream of making the final roster. The return of Chelsea’s in-form goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and the presence of Iago Aspas on the unpublished list stand out (Aspas hasn’t played for La Roja since 2019).

Among the noticeable absences will reportedly be Manchester United’s David De Gea and PSG’s Fabian Ruiz.

PSG veteran Sergio Ramos is also on the expanded list, as well as Girona right-back Arnau Martinez, who has no previous senior international experience. There are 10 Barcelona players and just two from Real Madrid (Marco Asensio and Dani Carvajal) who apparently made the first cut.

Final 26-man Spain World Cup roster

Spain meet with Jordan for a World Cup warm-up on November 17, by which time Enrique will have announced his squad for the tournament. 

Here’s a projected look at a plausible 26-man list, assuming all his players are fit and ready.

One big injury to watch will be the availability of Barcelona full-back Sergi Roberto, who suffered a dislocated shoulder in late October and his recovery time has yet to be determined.

Spain best player, national team strengths & weaknesses

Stars

Spain will bring a well-balanced, star-packed squad to Qatar. Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Sergio Ramos are the last remaining members of the golden generation – all likely to be playing their final World Cup (if, in Ramos’ case, he makes it onto the plane).

Barcelona trio Ferran Torres, Pedri and Gavi will add the star power from the new breed of Spanish talent.

Strengths

Spain’s veterans will provide the backbone but the key to glory lies in their young talents. Gavi (18), Pedri (19), Ansu Fati (19) and Ferran Torres (22) are already established names but could announce themselves as true superstars in Qatar. 

They’ll provide the creative spark to keep Spain partying deep into the tournament. 

Weaknesses

Alvaro Morata has bagged an average of nearly one goal every two games for Spain, but he’s a much less reliable focal point than predecessors Fernando Torres and David Villa.  

The Atletico Madrid striker, who has fallen short of his massive potential up to now, holds the opportunity to make a statement this year. There will certainly be no shortage of chances created for him. 

Spain World Cup group

It’s a tricky Group E that awaits Spain in Qatar. If they can overcome this test unscathed, the other leading challengers will likely sit up and take notice.

Costa Rica and Japan have both reached the knockout rounds in recent times, while 2014 world champions Germany are rock solid once again after a catastrophic time in Russia and disappointment at Euro 2020. 

Spain World Cup fixtures and match schedule

Spain vs Costa Rica squad, lineup

With a mix of youth and experience that is now battle-hardened on the major stage, it’s unlikely there will be too many shocks in Enrique’s starting lineup for the opening test against Costa Rica.

Spain projected starting XI vs Costa Rica 

GK: Simon 

DFs: Carvajal, Garcia, Laporte, Alba

MFs: Busquets, Pedri, Koke

FWs: Torres, Sarabia, Morata 

Can Spain replace players on their World Cup squad?

Once the final 26-man roster is official, participating teams at the World Cup can only make changes before the first game of the tournament, and only in the case of extraordinary circumstances.

According to the official tournament rules (page 32), “a player listed on the final list may only be replaced in the event of serious injury or illness up until 24 hours before the start of his team’s first match.”

The team in question would need to submit a medical report to FIFA and if the world governing body determines “the injury or illness is sufficiently serious to prevent the player from taking part in the FIFA World Cup” then the replacement will be allowed. 

The replacement player must come from the preliminary list of players submitted to FIFA in October.