Luis de la Fuente has named his first Spain squad for the Euro 2024 qualifiers against Norway and Scotland, but Jordi Alba is not in it
De la Fuente exclusion includes Ferran Torres, Ansu Fati, and Eric Garcia, who are all Barcelona players as well.
Luis Enrique has been replaced by de la Fuente after the team’s unexpected exit in the World Cup.
Following the tournament, both Sergio Busquets and Sergio Ramos, senior players, have retired from international football. Ramos made the decision after not being chosen for La Roja’s trip to Qatar.
Jordi Alba is being replaced by a teammate!
Jordi Alba has been left out of Luis de la Fuente’s first Spain squad. Alba, who started three of Spain’s games at the World Cup, has been replaced by fellow Barcelona defender Alejandro Balde.
Three of Alba’s club teammates, Ferran Torres, Ansu Fati, and Eric Garcia, have also been left out of the squad. However, Gavi and Pedri, both midfielders for Barcelona, have been included in the squad.
David Garcia from Osasuna and Espanyol’s 32-year-old striker Joselu are the two new players in the 26-man squad. They will meet in Malaga before the game against Norway on Saturday.
Spain squad: Kepa Arrizabalaga (Chelsea), Robert Sanchez (Brighton and Hove Albion), David Raya (Brentford); Jose Gaya (Valencia), Alejandro Balde (Barcelona), Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City), Inigo Martinez (Athletic Bilbao), Nacho Fernandez (Real Madrid), David Garcia (Osasuna), Pedro Porro (Tottenham), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid); Rodri (Manchester City); Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad), Mikel Merino (Mikel Merino), Gavi (Barcelona) Fabian Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain), Dani Ceballos (Real Madrid), Pedri (Barcelona); Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao) Alvaro Morata (Atletico Madrid), Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig), Bryan Gil (Sevilla), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Joselu (Espanyol), Iago Aspas (Celta Vigo).
