Spain coach Luis de la Fuente don release im Nations League squad, and e announce am from Ceuta on Friday. The move na show of support for the Spanish city for northern Africa wey don become centre of migration crisis.
Na im first squad announcement since Spain win the World Cup in July. De la Fuente reveal the list inside video wey show am for Ceuta with some residents of the Spanish exclave.
More than 70,000 people storm across border from Morocco in late July, and more than 100 die inside the chaos. Most quickly return, but few thousand still remain for the city wey get just over 80,000 people. De la Fuente no directly mention the border crossing or its impact, but e talk say, ‘This is Ceuta, this is Spain.’
Spain go open Nations League against England at Wembley Stadium on September 26. For that match, the players go wear two stars on their shirts for the first time since dem win their second world title. After London, Spain go host Croatia on September 29 and Czech Republic on October 3, before dem visit Croatia on October 6.
De la Fuente keep im World Cup squad mostly intact. Inter Milan goalkeeper Josep Martinez replace Barcelona’s Joan Garcia, wey dey out with minor knee issue. Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen enter for Marcos Llorente, wey don retire from international football. Fermin Lopez replace fellow Barcelona midfielder Gavi, while Espanyol striker Roberto Fernandez get im first call-up, replacing Borja Iglesias.
Spain squad also get seven Barcelona players: Fermin Lopez, Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, Dani Olmo, Rodri, Pedri and Lamine Yamal. Fermin Lopez return to international scene after e miss World Cup due to injury. No room for Gavi this time, while Joan Garcia also left out after e suffer knee injury against Racing in midweek.
Real Madrid defenders Dean Huijsen and Marc Cucurella make Luis de la Fuente list for the upcoming FIFA break. Huijsen return notable because dem no include am for Spain list for FIFA World Cup. But the young defender don dey play at very high level since 2026-27 season start, so im presence for this current list make sense for Spain. Cucurella na undisputed starter on left flank. Even though e never make big impact for Real Madrid, e clear say e dey ahead of everybody else for left-back spot.
Ceuta na one of two Spanish territories on north African coast along with Melilla. Ceuta don dey for Spanish possession since 1580. Christians and Muslims, Spanish and Moroccan residents and day workers all live there in relative harmony behind border fence wey many migrants from across Africa try cross or swim around for better life for Europe.
A Real Madrid supporters’ group don demand public apology from star striker Kylian Mbappe and two of im teammates after the trio decline to fully wear T-shirt in support of the people of Ceuta. Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Ibrahima Konate wear tribute shirt along with the rest of the squad ahead of Madrid’s 3-2 win at Elche on Tuesday in La Liga, although their own were partially rolled up to cover the message.
