😱Emergency plan: De la Fuente draws up a 50-man shortlist | OneFootball

The start of 2026 has dealt a harsh blow to the plans of the Spanish National Team. What began as a concern over the congested calendar has turned into a "cascade of mishaps" affecting vital pieces of the national setup. In response, Luis de la Fuente has activated a contingency plan: a preliminary list of 50 players (two per position) to ensure that the final 26 selected arrive fully protected against any unforeseen events.

Walking on Eggshells: The Stars in the Medical Room

The coaching staff is closely monitoring the progress of four key players. Mikel Merino, recently operated on his foot, is an absolute priority; doctors are confident that the scorer of the epic goal against Germany will be ready in time. Meanwhile, Marc Cucurella is dealing with hamstring issues, a critical area for his explosive style of play, while Nico Williams is struggling with a pubalgia that will delay his surgery until after the World Cup. The objective is clear: recover the "main actors" before turning to replacements.

Versatility and New Faces on the Radar

The coach’s strategy rewards versatility. Players like Marc Pubill and Eric García are gaining ground thanks to their ability to play both in central defense and at right-back, where Álex Jiménez stands out after his breakthrough in the Premier League. In goal, although the Simón-Raya-Remiro trio seems unmovable, names like Joan García and Robert Sánchez remain in reserve.

Plenty of Talent in Midfield and Attack

Despite the absences of Gavi and the recent injury to Pedri, the midfield remains Spain’s engine with Zubimendi and Fabián leading the way. Up front, following the serious injury to Samu Omorodion, the responsibility for scoring will fall to Mikel Oyarzabal and Ferran Torres. Nevertheless, the extended list keeps veterans like Morata and recovered players like Marco Asensio in contention, ensuring that Spain travels to North America with a fully reliable "Plan B".

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

📸 Florencia Tan Jun - 2025 Getty Images