The Spanish national team has announced its squad for the September fixtures of the 2026/2027 UEFA Nations League, which includes a match against Czechia in Oviedo on October 3rd. Manager Luis de la Fuente made four changes from the side that won the World Cup three months ago.
The Czech team faces a demanding autumn, starting with a home match against Croatia on September 26th. Their recent form reads LDLWW, with the latest defeat a 3-0 loss to Mexico in late June. Check the full fixtures and current standings.
Changes in the Spanish squad
De la Fuente had to deal with several absences. Goalkeeper Joan García is out with a knee injury suffered in a league match. Goalkeeper Josep Martínez returns to the squad after years, his last cap dating back to June 2021. The defence is bolstered by the return of Dean Huijsen, who missed the last World Cup. A surprising omission is striker Borja Iglesias, replaced by Roberto Fernández, currently the top Spanish scorer in the domestic league.
The manager commented on the selection, saying that "the national team's doors remain open to everyone, but holding a place among the world champions demands relentless excellence and competition." Among the players who dropped out is Gavi, who is struggling with knee problems and recently had an appeal against a suspension rejected by FIFA. Meanwhile, midfielder Fermín López has returned to the plans after a foot injury.
Preparation for the Czech clash
For the Czech team, the match in Oviedo, Spain, will be the highlight of the September international break. Spain will first play a friendly at Wembley against England and host Croatia in Seville. The Czech Republic will therefore face a team at full strength, building on their European Championship and World Cup triumphs.
The Czechs have a key match against Croatia ahead, which could significantly impact their position in the group. The senior squad list and player stats can be found on the squad page. The match in Oviedo on October 3rd will be a valuable experience and a benchmark for the Czech team against the absolute world elite as they prepare for their remaining qualifying matches.
First reported at goal.com
