Spain coach Luis Enrique summoned young Barcelona striker Ansu Fati, 20, and excluded veteran Paris Saint-Germain defender Sergio Ramos, 36, from a final list of 26 players to participate in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Fati, 20, played his first international match in 2020, and in his second match he became the youngest to score for Spain in history, breaking the record that had stood since 1925, registered as Juan Erathquin.

However, the striker, who underwent 4 surgeries after injuring his left knee in November 2020, is fighting to return to his previous level.

Absent from the list were David De Gea (Manchester United goalkeeper) and Thiago Alcantara (Liverpool midfield), whose role diminished with the rise of Barcelona's young stars Pedri (19 years old) and Gavi, who celebrated his 18th birthday on the fifth of last August, and will become the youngest Spanish player to participate. In the World Cup, breaking the previous record set by Cesc Fabregas in 2006 (19 years and one month).

The list included veteran midfielder Sergio Busquets, who is the only player in the squad from among the 2010 World Cup winners.

Spain's squad for the World Cup in Qatar came as follows:

  • Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), Robert Sanchez (Brighton & Hove Albion), David Raya (Brentford).

  • Defenders: Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Eric Garcia (Barcelona), Hugo Gimón (Valencia), Pau Torres (Villarreal), Emeric Laporte (Manchester City), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Jose Gaia (Valencia) ).

  • Midfielders: Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Rodri (Manchester City), Gavi (Barcelona), Carlos Soler (Paris Saint-Germain), Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid), Pedri (Barcelona), Koke (Atletico Madrid).

  • Forwards: Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Neco Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Jeremy Pino (Villarreal), Alvaro Morata (Atletico Madrid), Marco Asensio (Real Madrid), Pablo Sarabia (Paris Saint-Germain), Dani Olmo (Leipzig), Ansu Fati (Barcelona).

Spain matches in the 2022 World Cup

Coach Luis Enrique's squad signed in Group E in the Qatar World Cup, along with Germany, Costa Rica and Japan.

The Spanish national team is scheduled to play its first match against Costa Rica on November 23 at Al-Thumama Stadium, before hitting a fiery date with Germany in the second match at Al-Bayt Stadium on November 27.

The "Matadores" will conclude the group stage matches against Japan on the first of next December at Khalifa International Stadium.