Fede Vidal is set to announce the final roster of 15 players who will represent Spain at the World Cup in Uzbekistan next Monday. The national coach will unveil the squad during an event scheduled for 1:00 p.m. in the Luis Aragonés hall at the Ciudad del Fútbol in Las Rozas. These players will compete for Spain’s tenth FIFA championship from September 14 to October 6. A key highlight could be the return of Sergio Lozano. The Barça captain hasn’t played for the national team since February 2023, and after missing the 2021 World Cup in Lithuania due to injury. He is eager to participate in what is likely to be his final World Cup, as he turns 36 in November after recovering from his fourth knee surgery.
No Preliminary list
Unlike other countries, Spain will not release a preliminary list. Making it likely that seven players from the last World Cup squad three years ago will be on Vidal’s list for Uzbekistan. These include goalkeepers Jesús Herrero and Didac Plana, wingers Miguel Ángel Mellado, Adolfo Fernández, and Javier García Moreno ‘Chino’, as well as power forwards Raúl Gómez and captain Raúl Campos. Completing the squad will be third goalkeeper José Miguel Oliver (Chemi), the League champion with Jimbee Cartagena. Due to the serious knee injury of José Antonio Raya (Movistar Inter), the defensive lineup will include veterans such as Antonio Manuel Sánchez, Boyis (34), and Brazilian naturalized Spaniard Tomaz Braga (33). Joining them in defense is Antonio Pérez from Jaén. A European Under-19 champion who, at 24, is expected to lead the future of the national team through the generational transition.
Among left-footed players, the main changes include Juanjo Catela from Barça and César Velasco, a new signing for ElPozo Murcia. In the pivot position, there will be room for only one left-footer. With Spanish League and Super Cup champion Pablo Ramírez having an edge over two-time European champion Jesus Gordillo (Palma Futsal) to secure the spot as a key scorer providing depth in the 3-1 formation. Should any issues arise, Fede Vidal has backup players like Francisco Jose Cortes, Javi Minguez, goalkeeper Antonio Navarro, or Daniel Gabriel (El Hidalgo Manzanares Cheeses) on standby.
Group D
Spain has been placed in Group D. Playing in Andijan, where they will face Kazakhstan, New Zealand, and Libya on September 15, 18, and 21, respectively. The 15 selected players will begin World Cup preparations at Ciudad del Fútbol in Las Rozas on July 25, 51 days before the opening match. Spain is scheduled to play several warm-up matches. It is confirmed that two games against Morocco and two others against Japan will take place in Uzbekistan. Spain has not reached a World Cup final since 2012 and has not won the title in 20 years. The upcoming World Cup in Uzbekistan is also surrounded by controversy. As Jesús Velasco is reportedly set to replace Fede Vidal as coach in October, regardless of Spain’s performance in the tournament.