Spain’s Nations League Squad: Barcelona Dominance and Striker Debate

Luis de la Fuente’s Spain are taking shape for the UEFA Nations League – and the outline is clear. Barcelona will provide the backbone. The intrigue lies higher up the pitch.

Midfield: Fermin back, Gavi waiting

In midfield, the only expected tweak is the return of Fermin Lopez. He is set to step in for Gavi, who will miss the Wembley opener through suspension. Gavi’s absence is a hangover from previous commitments, and it comes at a time when he has also lost his starting place at Barcelona after the injury he suffered at the start of La Liga against Elche.

De la Fuente still holds Gavi in very high regard. The midfielder remains firmly in the coach’s plans, even if he cannot feature in London and has been fighting to regain rhythm and status at club level. He will not be discarded lightly.

The last seat in attack

Up front, the puzzle is simpler but more delicate. Two names are inked in: Mikel Oyarzabal and Ferran Torres. Both are considered locks.

The debate starts with the third striker role, the spot that belonged to Borja Iglesias in the World Cup winners’ squad. Iglesias began the season carrying a soleus muscle problem and has barely featured, leaving his place exposed and inviting competition.

Behind him, a wave of younger forwards is pressing hard. Sergio Camello, Roberto, Espi and Gonzalo are all in the conversation to jump into the senior list. One of them could benefit from Iglesias’ difficult start and force his way into a trimmed Nations League group.

A tighter list, a heavier schedule

The numbers matter. Only 23 players can be registered for the group stage of the UEFA Nations League, down from the 26 allowed in the final rounds. The list will be tighter, but the calendar will not show mercy.

Spain must navigate four matches in a short window, so rotation is not a luxury, it is a necessity. That reality should open the door for a slightly expanded core around which De la Fuente can shuffle options from game to game.

Barcelona as the national team’s engine

At club level, Barcelona are set to dominate the dressing room. Joan Garcia, Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, Pedri, Dani Olmo, Rodri and Lamine Yamal are all effectively guaranteed spots and will form the skeleton of the side.

They may not be alone. Gavi and Fermin Lopez could join them, as could Xavi Espart. If all three make it, Spain would head into the Nations League with 10 Barcelona players in the squad – a clear statement about where the coach sees the heart of his team.

A demanding start: Wembley and beyond

Spain open their UEFA Nations League campaign against England in London on 26 September, a high-profile start at Wembley that will test De la Fuente’s choices immediately.

From there, the schedule bites. Croatia travel to Seville on the 29th. Spain then head to Oviedo to face the Czech Republic on 3 October, before closing the window away to Croatia in Split on the 6th of next month.

By then, the questions around that third striker, the balance in midfield and the weight of Barcelona’s influence may have very different answers.