The Espanha team takes the field this Thursday to face Iraque, at the Riazor stadium, in La Coruña, carrying an extensive list of absences in their penultimate preparatory commitment for the Copa of Mundo in 2026. The confrontation marks the team’s official farewell in front of their fans before embarking for the American continent. Coach Luis of Fuente will not be able to count on 10 athletes who are part of the main planning for the world tournament. Entre The absences most felt by local fans is the young striker Lamine Yamal, preserved by the technical committee. The planning aims to physically protect the main names in the squad after the end of European club competitions.
The scenario set up for the friendly match serves as a forced testing laboratory for the Spanish technical committee. The delegation worked intensely in recent days to adjust the tactical positioning with the athletes available in the squad. Logo after the end of the confrontation against the Iraqis, the group begins the logistical movement towards Estados Unidos. The North American territory will be the final base for the group’s tactical and physical training. A final test is scheduled for June 8th, against Peru, closing the cycle of international friendlies. Mundo’s official debut on Copa is scheduled for June 15th, in a duel against Cabo Verde.
Luis from Fuente manages physical wear and preserved athletes from Champions League
The significant number of casualties in the starting team is a direct result of the recent elite European football calendar. Jogadores important players in the Spanish tactical structure presented themselves late due to decisive commitments for their respective clubs. Goalkeeper Raya, left-back Fabián Cucurella and midfielder Zubimendi joined the group of athletes only last Wednesday. The three were involved in the Champions League grand final. The federation’s medical commission recommended that they rest completely this mid-week. Coach Luis of Fuente chose not to take unnecessary risks of muscle injuries before the start of the Fifa competition.
The complete list of absences covers crucial sectors of the Spanish team for this year’s tournament. Além of the three athletes spared due to wear and tear in the continental competition, the medical department monitors the evolution of other fundamental parts. The striker Nico Williams, the young Víctor Muñoz and the midfielders Rodri and Pedri do not have ideal playing conditions for the duel in La Coruña. Striker Oyarzabal closes the list of athletes who are left out of the activity against the Asians. The coaching staff monitors individualized daily physical recovery to ensure that everyone reaches their maximum level of performance in the tournament’s opening game.
Suplentes gain space and technical committee evaluates squad list
Para To make up for the high number of absences this working week, the Spanish technical committee called athletes who are not on Copa’s final list from Mundo. In total, the call for this specific commitment in La Coruña included 26 professionals. Nove of these players were called as immediate substitutes for the training period on Spanish soil. Eles act as a kind of technical guarantee in the event of a last-minute cut due to a serious injury before the Fifa registration deadline. The period of coexistence also serves to acclimatize the new generation to the working methods of the main team.
The list of substitutes gaining experience this week includes players from different sectors of the field:
- Leo Román
- Jon Martín
- Marc Bernal
- Javi Guerra
- Javi Rodríguez
- Sergio Gómez
- Jesús Rodríguez
- Gonzalo García
- Turirentes
Logística from the Spanish national team predicts an immediate trip to Estados Unidos
The logistical planning drawn up by Real Federação Espanhola of Futebol was structured in detail to minimize the effects of the wear and tear of the transatlantic journey. Imediatamente After the final whistle of the game against Iraque, the players begin physical recovery procedures in the locker room and head to the airport. The chartered flight will transport the entire delegation directly to Estados Unidos, the location chosen for the acute phase of sports preparation. The choice of the host country for the preparation aims to facilitate the climate and time zone adaptation of the athletes before the official group stage matches.
The game against Peru, on June 8th, will be the last opportunity for Luis and Fuente to test the formation considered ideal with all the starters available. The doctors’ expectation is to release the spared athletes and those with minor injuries to add minutes on the field in this second friendly. The technical committee understands that tactical integration needs to be refined quickly before the clash against Cabo Verde, considered vital for the Spanish aspirations in the group. The level of internal demand is high and the technical committee demands absolute focus on executing the defensive and offensive routines planned for the world tournament.