Spain’s squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar fell short of expectations, and the team that will take the field at the 2026 tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada will look vastly different. How many players will return? Where are they all now? We take a look back at the 26 footballers called up by then-coach Luis Enrique four years ago.
**Goalkeepers**
– **Unai Simón (28):** Still at Athletic Club and remains Spain’s starting goalkeeper.
– **Robert Sánchez (28):** The former Brighton shot-stopper now defends the Chelsea goal. However, he has not been called up for some time, as De la Fuente has opted for Remiro.
– **David Raya (30):** The current Arsenal goalkeeper has made a tremendous leap in quality over the past four years. After being the third-choice in Qatar, he is now Spain’s number two.
**Defenders**
– **Dani Carvajal (34):** After suffering several serious injuries, the Real Madrid captain is struggling to regain his best form. He is a substitute for his club and faces an uphill battle to make another World Cup squad.
– **César Azpilicueta (36):** Once captain of Chelsea and competing for every title, the Navarrese returned to Spain first with Atlético Madrid and then Sevilla, where he has been plagued by injuries as the team fights to escape the relegation zone.
– **Eric García (25):** Fresh off a return to Barcelona, he was loaned out again, this time to Girona, to rediscover the form he showed when leaving Manchester City. Eric has improved significantly over the last two seasons, especially the most recent one, but has been out of the national team picture for a long time. Still, his versatility could give him a chance.
– **Hugo Guillamón (26):** He was one of those rare surprises that sometimes pop into a coach’s mind—the big shock of the tournament. Four years ago, he was a jewel at Valencia, but his stock fell season by season until he left Mestalla through the back door. Now he plays for Hajduk Split, where he was a regular starter until April.
– **Aymeric Laporte (31):** The Spanish-born Frenchman left Manchester City for Saudi Arabia to earn even more money. When he realized that not even playing with Cristiano Ronaldo made it worthwhile, he managed to return to Athletic Club and also rejoin the national team after some absences.
– **Pau Torres (29):** After a successful loan at Málaga, the center-back returned to Villarreal, where he became the leader of the defense, earning a big-money move to Aston Villa. However, despite playing regularly, he suddenly fell out of favor with De la Fuente and is now out of any consideration for a return.
– **Jordi Alba (37):** The player from L’Hospitalet was still at Barcelona when he played the World Cup, but soon after he moved to Miami, where he decided to retire at the end of last season after winning the MLS Cup.
– **Alejandro Balde (22):** The full-back was called up urgently after José Luis Gayà was forced to leave the squad before the World Cup due to injury. Despite his talent, Balde has not fully exploded as expected and is now even a substitute for the converted Joao Cancelo at Barcelona. Another who will not repeat.
**Midfielders**
– **Sergio Busquets (37):** Like Jordi Alba, Busquets decided to emigrate from Barcelona to Miami for the final stages of his professional career alongside Messi and Luis Suárez. And just like Alba, after winning the MLS, he decided to hang up his boots.
– **Rodri Hernández (29):** [The text cuts off here; the original continues below…]
