New Spain coach Luis de Lafuente excluded 15 players from the squad for the World Cup in Qatar last year, while announcing his first list since Luis Enrique’s succession last December.
De Lafuente chose only 11 players from Spain’s squad for the Qatar finals, following the embarrassing exit of the 2010 world champions from the round of 16 by Morocco with a penalty shootout, in preparation for facing Norway and Scotland this month in the 2024 European Championship qualifiers in Germany.
Among the most prominent surprises were the return of goalkeeper Kepa Arezabalaga and defender Nacho, who has been absent since 2018, and veteran striker Iago Aspas, as well as the two new faces, defender David Garcia and striker Joselo.
The former youth national team coach chose goalkeepers Robert Sanchez and David Raya from the World Cup squad, along with defenders Alejandro Balde, Emeric Laporte, Dani Carvajal, midfielders Rodri, Gavi, Pedri, and attackers Alvaro Morata, Dani Olmo and Nico Williams.
