Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has named his final 26-man squad for this summer’s European Championship. Teenage superstar Lamine Yamal is on the roster, along with veterans such as Álvaro Morata, Jesús Navas, and Dani Carvajal.
However, several famous players were left off, including PSG winger Marco Asensio and teenage defender Pau Cubarsí. We have broken down Spain’s Euro 2024 squad below and discussed how La Roja could line up at the tournament as we look ahead to betting on the Euros.
Breaking down Spain’s 29-man Euros roster
De la Fuente initially named a provisional 29-man squad for his training camp, but he cut Pau Cubarsí, Marcos Llorente, and Aleix Garcia prior to the deadline on June 7. We now know the 26 men that will represent Spain at Euro 2024:
- Goalkeepers: Alex Remiro (Real Sociedad), David Raya (Arsenal), Unai Simón (Athletic Bilbao)
- Defenders: Aymeric Laporte (Al Nassr), Robin Le Normand (Real Sociedad), Álex Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Dani Vivian (Athletic Bilbao), Jesús Navas (Sevilla), Nacho (Real Madrid), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea)
- Midfielders: Mikel Merino (Real Sociedad), Fabián Ruiz (PSG), Alex Baena (Villarreal), Martín Zubimendi (Real Sociedad), Rodri (Manchester City), Pedri (Barcelona), Fermín López (Barcelona)
- Forwards: Alvaro Morata (Atletico Madrid), Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig), Joselu (Real Madrid), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Ayoze Pérez (Real Betis), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao)
Spain’s Euro 2024 squad has a youthful look. Yamal is just 16 years old, but he is likely to start for La Roja after enjoying a breakout season at Barcelona. Fellow Barcelona youngsters Fermín López and Pedri are also on the list, along with 21-year-old Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams.
However, de la Fuente has also selected veterans to guide those precocious youngsters. The likes of Rodri, Morata, Carvajal, Aymeric Laporte, and Navas bring a wealth of experience to the squad. De la Fuente will also have Mikel Oyarzabal back on the roster after the talented winger missed the 2022 World Cup with a cruciate ligament tear.
There were a couple of surprise inclusions. Ayoze Pérez has never previously played for Spain, but the 30-year-old Real Betis forward received the nod here. De la Fuente also found room for fullback Marc Cucurella, whose form has been inconsistent since joining Chelsea, while 34-year-old striker Joselu was included after impressing during a loan spell at Real Madrid.
Key players left out
Marco Asensio is the biggest name to not make the team. The former Real Madrid forward has made 32 appearances for his country, but de la Fuente passed him over here in favor of younger wingers.
Aston Villa defender Pau Torres was another surprise omission, along with Tottenham fullback Pedro Porro. Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde did not make the cut, either, and de la Fuente also excluded Villarreal striker Gerard Moreno, playmaker Rodrigo Riquelme, and forward Ansu Fati.
A couple of key players are also out with injuries. Valencia captain José Gaya is a big omission, as he is Spain’s best left-back, and La Roja will also be missing Barcelona midfielder Gavi, who has a long-term injury.
De la Fuente sprung a surprise by cutting Cubarsí from the roster, as he was expected to play a big part in Spain’s campaign. Llorente and Garcia will also be disappointed to miss out.
Projecting Spain’s starting 11 for Euro 2024
David Raya won the Premier League Golden Glove this season after delivering a string of impressive performances for Arsenal. However, he is likely to play second fiddle to Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Unai Simón.
Álex Grimaldo has just had a breakout season for Bayer Leverkusen, so he appears likely to take Gaya’s place at left-back. Robin Le Normand could go into the starting XI alongside Laporte at the heart of the defense, with Carvajal at right-back. Spain’s key strength lies in midfield, where Rodri and Martín Zubimendi could form a double pivot, giving Pedri free rein to wreak havoc in a more advanced role. Morata will lead the line in attack, with Yamal on one flank and possibly Ferran Torres or Dani Olmo on the other.
