Only one Real Madrid player makes Spain squad for March friendlies: Is Thiago Pitarch included?

After the winter break, Spain returns to action next week with friendlies against Serbia and Egypt, but one detail in Luis de la Fuente’s squad has caught attention. Only one Real Madrid player, Dean Huijsen, has been included.

Madrid stars absent

Man-of-the-moment Thiago Pitarch will play for the Spain’s Under-19 team, while there are no places for club teammates Dani Carvajal, Raúl Asencio, Álvaro Carreras or Gonzalo García. Dani Ceballos remains on the sidelines.

In contrast, seven Barcelona players make the roster, including Lamine Yamal.

Injuries reshape Spain’s roster

As head coach de la Fuente prepares his squad, injuries are beginning to define the picture ahead of this summer’s World Cup.

Spain’s latest roster has been heavily impacted by a growing list of absences. The most recent setback comes with Marc Pubill, who was initially selected but will miss out due to a rib injury.

He joins a sidelined group that includes Mikel Merino, Fabián Ruiz, Pablo Barrios, and Samu Aghehowa, leaving De la Fuente short on key options across midfield and attack.

Those absences have opened the door for several new faces. Joan García, Cristhian Mosquera, Ander Barrenetxea, and Víctor Muñoz have all been called up, with García’s inclusion drawing particular attention. The Barcelona goalkeeper joins Spain’s established trio, giving the coaching staff another option between the posts.

Rodri return offers a boost

Alongside the newcomers, Spain welcomes back two important players. Rodri returns after rediscovering his top form with Manchester City, while Carlos Soler earns a recall following a strong run of performances with Real Sociedad.

Elsewhere, Pablo Fornals and Álex Baena retain their spots, with Baena listed among the attacking options this time around.

Final World Cup decisions looming

The next Spain roster will be the one that truly matters. De la Fuente is set to announce his final 26-man squad in late May for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Many of the regulars named in this squad are expected to make that final cut. However, some of the newer call-ups could still play their way onto the roster with strong performances against Serbia and Egypt.

These upcoming friendlies effectively replace the planned “Finalissima,” which was canceled due to ongoing conflict in the Middle East. After these matches, Spain will not play again until June 4, when they face Iraq in A Coruña in their final tune-up before heading to the World Cup.

Injuries could decide final roster spots

De la Fuente had already warned earlier this year that injuries would play a significant role in shaping his World Cup squad.

“Unfortunately, injuries are going to matter when it comes to the final list,” he said in an interview published on New Year’s Day. “The season is long and the demands are extremely high. Sadly, I expect more absences before we have to name the final 26.”

So far, that prediction has proven accurate. In addition to Samu’s confirmed absence, Spain is still waiting on the fitness of Merino, Barrios, and Fabián Ruiz.

There is also concern over Alejandro Balde, although Spain remains well covered at left back with Alejandro Grimaldo and Marc Cucurella, the latter returning from injury himself.

Spain squad for March friendlies

Goalkeepers: Unai Simón, David Raya, Joan García, Álex Remiro

Defenders: Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsí, Dean Huijsen, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella, Alejandro Grimaldo, Marcos Llorente, Cristhian Mosquera

Midfielders: Rodri, Martín Zubimendi, Pedri, Fermín López, Carlos Soler, Pablo Fornals, Dani Olmo

Forwards: Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal, Víctor Muñoz, Ferran Torres, Borja Iglesias, Yeremy Pino, Ander Barrenetxea, Álex Baena

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