The overhaul of Luis Enrique’s Spain is almost complete, as La Rosa look to a World Cup adventure with a wonderful squad full of red-hot talent and big-stage experience.
Spain has had a positive performance at Euro 2020, where they reached the semi-finals with Pedri and Ferran Torres injecting life into the team. They are also through to the final of the 2021 UEFA Nations League, with France having 10 minutes remaining.
These were positive signs as Spain moved away from the golden generation that helped them win the 2010 World Cup. That was followed by a surprise exit from the group stage in the 2014 edition and a last-16 elimination in Russia four years later.
But now with a younger and stronger talent to choose from for Qatar, Spain should be considered among the leading candidates for this year’s crown.
Spain World Cup Squad 2022
Enrique continued his policy of announcing an unorthodox squad for Qatar with a dramatic live reading of his final 26 players.
Barcelona is heavily represented in the squad, with veterans Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba Pedri, along with Gavi and Ansu Fati, despite struggling for fitness.
Alejandro Balde was later added in place of the injured Jose Gaya, bringing Barça’s total number of representatives at the World Cup to 17, the most of any club.
| Position | No. | Player | Club | Age | Caps |
| GK | 13 | David Raya | Brentford (ENG) | 27 | 2 |
| GK | 1 | Robert Sanchez | Brighton (ENG) | 24 | 2 |
| GK | 23 | Unai Simon | Athletic Bilbao (SPA) | 25 | 27 |
| DEF | 18 | Jordi Alba | Barcelona (SPA) | 33 | 87 |
| DEF | 15 | Hugo Guillamon | Valencia (SPA) | 22 | 3 |
| DEF | 2 | Cesar Azpilicueta | Chelsea (ENG) | 33 | 42 |
| DEF | 20 | Dani Carvajal | Real Madrid (SPA) | 30 | 31 |
| DEF | 3 | Eric Garcia | Barcelona (SPA) | 21 | 19 |
| DEF | 14 | Alejandro Balde | Barcelona (SPA) | 19 | 0 |
| DEF | 24 | Aymeric Laporte | Manchester City (ENG) | 28 | 16 |
| DEF | 4 | Pau Torres | Villarreal (SPA) | 25 | 22 |
| MID | 5 | Sergio Busquets | Barcelona (SPA) | 36 | 146 |
| MID | 9 | Gavi | Barcelona (SPA) | 18 | 13 |
| MID | 8 | Koke | Atletico Madrid (SPA) | 30 | 68 |
| MID | 6 | Marcos Llorente | Atletico Madrid (SPA) | 27 | 17 |
| MID | 26 | Pedri | Barcelona (SPA) | 19 | 14 |
| MID | 16 | Rodri | Manchester City (ENG) | 26 | 35 |
| MID | 19 | Carlos Soler | PSG (FRA) | 25 | 12 |
| FWD | 21 | Dani Olmo | RB Leipzig (GER) | 24 | 25 |
| FWD | 10 | Marco Asensio | Real Madrid (SPA) | 26 | 30 |
| FWD | 25 | Ansu Fati | Barcelona (SPA) | 19 | 5 |
| FWD | 7 | Alvaro Morata | Atletico Madrid (SPA) | 29 | 57 |
| FWD | 17 | Yeremi Pino | Villarreal (SPA) | 20 | 7 |
| FWD | 11 | Ferran Torres | Barcelona (SPA) | 22 | 31 |
| FWD | 12 | Nico Williams | Athletic Bilbao (SPA) | 20 | 3 |
| FWD | 22 | Pablo Sarabia | Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) | 30 | 25 |
Spain’s Best Players, Strengths, and Weaknesses of the National Team
STARS
Spain will bring a balanced, star-packed squad to Qatar. Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba are among the last remaining members of the golden generation – both likely to play their last World Cup.
Barcelona trio Ferran Torres, Pedri, and Gavi will add star power from a new breed of Spanish talent.
POWERS
Spain’s veterans will provide the backbone, but the key to glory lies in their young talent. Gavi (18), Pedri (19), Ansu Fati (19), and Ferran Torres (22) are already established names but could announce themselves as real superstars in Qatar.
They will provide the creative spark to keep Spain deep in the party at the tournament.
WEAKNESS
Alvaro Morata has averaged a goal every two games for Spain, but he is a far less reliable focal point than his predecessors Fernando Torres and David Villa.
The Atletico Madrid striker, who has so far fallen short of his immense potential, has a chance to make a statement this year. There will certainly be no shortage of opportunities for him to create.