Twelve days after Spain's debut in the Qatar World Cup -on the 23rd against Costa Rica at the Al Thumama stadium-, Luis Enrique revealed this Friday his official call-up for the event. The first news is that, unlike what happened in the last European Championship, he has exhausted the 26 places available since FIFA allows everyone to register in the minutes. The second is the presence of Ansu Fati and Nico Williams in a list without big surprises.
There are only 5 players with World Cup experience in the squad (Busquets, Jordi Alba, Carvajal, Koke and Azpilicueta), so up to 22 players will debut. Regarding the last European Championship, 17 names repeat. In what will be his fourth World Cup, Busquets, the only squad that won the World Cup in South Africa, will be the captain and the leader of the locker room. And Luis Enrique does not see the end. "He is the best midfielder I see in the world to play what we play. In fact, my goal is to convince him to play one more World Cup, it's not a joke, I've already told him," he revealed, half jokingly, half seriously.
This scenario leaves a very young group to face an event like a World Cup, something that does not worry the coach at all. Quite the contrary. "We are not going to die of fear, I can guarantee that. There is no doubt that Spain will be seen, aggressively recovering the ball and ambitious," confirmed Luis Enrique at the Ciudad del Fútbol in Las Rozas minutes after revealing the list. "Infinity is my bar, I don't think there is anyone who rules out Spain to be among the best", he added.
Among the youngest is Nico Williams, one of the great irruptions of the season in Spanish football. At just 20 years old and with just two caps behind him, the Athletic Club striker has earned his place in Qatar with just two spells against Switzerland and Portugal in the last break in the Nations League.
The Asturian has drawn up a list of his greatest confidence. Of the 26 chosen there have been two that have been in the air until the end. One of them is Ansu Fati, who has not played for Spain since October 13, 2020, although he was called up last June. "It has been one of the doubts until the last minute. His football level is unquestionable but he is in a difficult process both on a personal and football level and I have had doubts. But the illusion to recover his best version has influenced, in training we will see if the evolution that is showing in the Barça is real", explained the technician.
Luis Enrique did not want to enter into controversy. First, when he was questioned several times about the absence of Serio Ramos. "Anything I say is going to be misrepresented, I prefer not to talk about those who are not there," he settled. And second, when asked about the controversy surrounding Qatar, after his election as the venue. "I am delighted to represent my country wherever it is necessary. It is clear that Qatar is involved in a series of conflictive situations but I am not a politician and I have no decision-making capacity. It all depends on what you want to focus on and I focus on the football," he replied.
The complete list
GOALKEEPERS: Unai Simón, Robert Sánchez, David Raya.
DEFENSES: Dani Carvajal, Azpilicueta, Eric Garcia, Hugo Guillamón, Pau Torres, Laporte, Jordi Alba, Gayà.
MIDFIELDERS: Busquets, Rodri, Gavi, Carlos Soler, Marcos Llorente, Pedri, Koke.
FORWARDS: Ferran Torres, Nico Williams, Yeremy Pino, Morata, Marco Asensio, Sarabia, Dani Olmo, Ansu Fati.
