Lamine Yamal included as Spain omit Carvajal and Morata from 55-man World Cup list

Spain's preliminary 55-player list for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, submitted to FIFA on May 11, reportedly includes 18-year-old winger Lamine Yamal but excludes two former senior figures from the national side: right-back Dani Carvajal and striker Álvaro Morata. The omission, first reported via Marca and summarised by World Soccer Talk, marks a notable moment in Spain's squad selection under coach Luis De La Fuente.

Why it matters

The reported inclusion of Yamal alongside the absence of Carvajal and Morata highlights a continuing generational transition within Spain. Carvajal and Morata were part of the leadership group at Euro 2024; leaving them off the preliminary list signals a shift toward younger options and different selection criteria ahead of the 2026 tournament.

What the report says about Carvajal and Morata

According to the report, Carvajal has been hampered by a sequence of fitness problems this season—muscular issues, knee problems and a recent foot injury—that limited him to 20 appearances across La Liga, Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League, completing 90 minutes only three times. Morata, by contrast, featured more often but struggled for end product at club level, with the report citing one goal and two assists in 28 appearances for Como 1907 across Serie A and the Coppa Italia. The summarised report describes 'performance and consistency' as factors behind their exclusion.

Lamine Yamal's place and fitness questions

Yamal, an 18-year-old Barcelona winger, is included on the 55-player list despite suffering a muscle injury several weeks ago that ended his season prematurely. The report says De La Fuente expects Yamal to remain part of the final 26-man roster, but that Yamal's availability for the opening group-stage matches will depend on his recovery; prioritising full fitness for the knockout phase is mentioned as a coaching consideration.

De La Fuente on selection philosophy

Luis De La Fuente, speaking to Europa Press and summarised in the report, described the 55-player list as the result of a prolonged selection process and rigorous analysis. He emphasised preparation for varied match situations and said he weighs personal qualities alongside sporting criteria when choosing players.

• Spain submitted a 55-player preliminary roster to FIFA on May 11 (report).
• Lamine Yamal is reportedly included despite a recent muscle injury.
• Dani Carvajal and Álvaro Morata are reportedly not on the 55-player list.
• De La Fuente says selections follow 10 months of analysis and include human-factor considerations.

Context: squad transition and leadership changes

The reported omissions leave Spain without three of the captains from Euro 2024 — Carvajal, Morata and Jesús Navas (already retired) — underscoring a shift toward younger players. The report frames Spain's squad building as increasingly centred on a younger core, with Yamal identified as a leading figure of that group.

What happens next

The 55-player list is preliminary; national teams will later submit final 26-man squads for the 2026 World Cup. The facts in this article rely on a single media report summarising the RFEF submission and De La Fuente's comments. Confirmation from the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) or FIFA would be needed to treat these selections as official, plus updated medical information on Yamal to determine his readiness for Spain's opening matches.