Spain Name Nations League Squad With Four Changes From World Cup-Winning Group

Spain have named their squad for the defence of their World Cup title's follow-up assignment, the Nations League, with head coach Luis de la Fuente making four changes to the group that won the tournament in the United States this summer.

Josep Martinez and Roberto Fernandez both earn their first senior call-ups, with Espanyol forward Fernandez the standout inclusion after scoring six goals in his first six La Liga appearances of the season. Dean Huijsen returns after missing the World Cup, while Fermin Lopez is recalled having been sidelined by injury during the tournament.

The squad reflects several enforced changes, with Marcos Llorente omitted following his recent retirement from international football, while Joan Garcia misses out with a knee injury and Gavi remains unavailable, still serving a suspension for his conduct during the World Cup final. Celta Vigo's Borja Iglesias was also dropped from the World Cup squad. De la Fuente announced the squad from Ceuta in a show of support for the Spanish city, with the world champions set to wear two stars on their shirt for the first time when they open their Nations League campaign away to England at Wembley, before home fixtures against Croatia and the Czech Republic.