Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has made a final decision on Barcelona star Gavi’s inclusion in the squad for the 2026 World Cup. According to Spanish newspaper AS, Gavi will be among the 26 players selected by De la Fuente for the tournament, following his impressive return to action with Barcelona.
The call-up serves as a reward for the midfielder, who missed 192 days due to a right knee injury before becoming a key figure in Barcelona’s La Liga title triumph. This late resurgence has earned him a spot on the World Cup train, as he has consistently been a trusted player for both De la Fuente and Hansi Flick. Gavi will be joined by his Barcelona teammates: goalkeeper Juan Garcia and defender Pau Cubarsi are also confirmed in the final squad, which will be announced on May 25.
Garcia’s selection follows his appearance in the previous international break, while Cubarsi caps off an exceptional season by securing a place in the settled defensive line, alongside the experience of Aymeric Laporte and the potential of Dean Huijsen, both of whom are also assured spots. Regarding full-back positions, the coach has finalized his choices: Pedro Porro and Marcos Llorente on the right, and Cucurella and Grimaldo on the left, significantly diminishing Real Madrid star Dani Carvajal’s hopes of making the World Cup squad.
While the door is not completely shut for Carvajal, his physical condition remains the biggest obstacle. De la Fuente has insisted that the Real Madrid captain must be fully recovered and back in competitive action as a prerequisite. During the presentation of his autobiography, the coach noted that Carvajal needs time and opportunity to prove his level, hinting that the final decision may not lean in his favor. Doubts also surround Nico Williams, who is suffering from a muscle injury in his left leg expected to sideline him for three weeks, raising concerns about his readiness for the World Cup.
