Why was Eric Garcia included in Spain's World Cup squad by Luis de la Fuente?
(Courtesy : LaLiga)
A total of eight players in the final squad, including Eric Garcia, are from FC Barcelona!
No players from Real Madrid have been called up to represent Spain at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This can be because of the club’s underwhelming season.
The final 26-man roster has most of the players from the Spanish top division LaLiga (17). FC Barcelona is the club with the highest share of players in the squad (8). Stars like Lamine Yamal, Eric Garcia, Ferran Torres and others have been included.
The Spain national football team have secured FIFA’s flagship trophy only once during their 2010 triumph in South Africa. They are now one of the favourites to win the upcoming edition of the mega competition alongside France and England.
Ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, La Roja will gear up to have a face-off against Iraq and Peru in international friendlies. They will be looking to gain some momentum before setting foot on the biggest stage of them all. The Luis de la Fuente-led side have been in a top run of form since the UEFA Euro 2024.
Although they surely have a star-studded lineup, a lot of big names have not received a call-up. It includes Dani Carvajal, Alvaro Morata, Fermin Lopez and Dean Huijsen.
Also Read: Top seven players left out of Spain’s FIFA World Cup 2026 final squad ft. Huijsen & Morata
Why was Eric Garcia included in the Spain squad?
Eric Garcia is coming in after having a sensational season with FC Barcelona. He secured LaLiga and Spanish Super Cup titles this season with his club. The 25-year-old has been an important asset for Barca this season.
He is primarily a centre-back who can also perform well as a defensive midfielder. Garcia has made a total of 19 appearances for the Spain national football team.
Regarding centre-back’s inclusion in La Roja’s final lineup, Luis de la Fuente said, “Eric García has been with me since the Olympic Games. He doesn’t raise any doubts for me.”
The Spanish head coach also mentioned that he could have all the (injured) players ready from the very first match. It is going to be a big relief for the European champions.
Also read: How many FC Barcelona players are in Spain’s FIFA World Cup 2026 squad?
How many Barcelona players are in Spain’s final squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026?
A total of eight players are from the Blaugrana.
How many Real Madrid players are in Spain’s final squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026?
No Los Blancos players have been included in the lineup.
How many times has Spain won the FIFA World Cup?
They have won the prestigious title once in 2010.
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Dilpreet is a dedicated football writer with a keen eye for World Football. As a proud Real Madrid fan, we believe his work reflects the same ambition and precision. Since joining Khel Now in 2025, he has crafted stories beyond scores, diving into tactics, culture, and emotion. With a strong background in content writing, he blends clarity with creativity, always aiming to bring the beautiful game closer to readers.