Spain have announced the squad to participate in the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup and snubbed some of their high-profile players.
Luis Enrique, the head coach of Spain, has left out one of the longest-serving members of the squad Sergio Ramos who ply his trade in France for Paris Saint Germain.
Ramos was an integral part of the Championship-winning team in South Africa. Amongst other surprise exclusions from the squad are Manchester United shot-stopper David De Gea, Thiago Alcantara, Sergio Ramos and Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Spain will prepare for the tournament with a friendly match against Jordan on the 17th of November.
The one-time FIFA World Cup winners will kickstart the competition with a Group E clash against Costa Rica, followed by a clash against one of the title favourites, Germany, in what promises to be a mouth-watering spectacle.
The Spaniards will close off the group stages against Japan on the 1st of December. In 2014, Spain failed to make it past the group stages, whereas in the previous tournament staged in Russia, Spain fell short in the round of 16 against the host nation.
Enrique has opted for a relatively youthful squad and included Barcelona starlets Ferran Torres, Pedri, and Ansu Fati.
Spain have shown positive signs under Enrique after making it to the semi-finals of Euro 2020 and were the finalists of the UEFA Nations League last year and subsequently lost 2-1 to the current World Champions, France.
Barcelona star Sergio Busquets is the only player left in the Spain squad that lifted the World Cup in 2010.
The World Cup will kick off on the 20th of November and end on the 18th of December.
FULL SPAIN 26-MEN SQUAD:
GOALKEEPERS
Unai Simon
David Raya
Robert Sanchez
DEFENDERS
Pau Torres
Jordi Alba
Hugo Guillamon
Eric Garcia
Azpilicueta
Carvajal
Laporte
MIDFIELDER
Busquets
Rodri
Pedri
Koke
Gavi
Carlos Soler
Marcos Llorente
FORWARD
Sarabia
Nico Williams
Asensio
Morata
Ansu Fati
Yeremy Pino
Ferran Torres
Dani Olmo
