Luis de la Fuente don make up im mind for Spain opening match against Cape Verde for World Cup 2026, and e no be good news for Joan Garcia. Despite Garcia rapid rise, Unai Simón go be di starting goalkeeper.
Di Athletic Club keeper go keep di role wey e hold for di last UEFA Euro and World Cup, but e go get very small room for error. Some sections of di press dey even talk say di decision to call up di FC Barcelona keeper fit backfire on De la Fuente. And no be because Garcia no dey good enough to play for La Roja—no, na di opposite.
El Nacional dey report say di manager fit regret bringing Garcia to di tournament, simply because di kid too good to sit quietly for bench. Simón don be De la Fuente guy, but any slip-up go instantly ignite fierce debate. Moving to Barça don boost Garcia profile, and fans dey eager to see im quick reflexes and comfort playing out from di back for di European champions.
After getting im first international start against Iraq, Garcia sit out di recent 3-1 win over Peru, where Simón start di first half before giving way to David Raya. Following dat friendly, De la Fuente make am clear say im choice don settle well in advance. ‘Any of dem deserve dis recognition. E no be gift, na opportunity to demonstrate dia class internationally. Today I think say e fair to also give David di option, but I clear on who di starting goalkeeper go be at di beginning of di World Cup, if no setbacks,’ De la Fuente state.
Purely on recent form, both Raya and Garcia get arguments to dey ahead of Simón. Simón don get quieter season at San Mamés, where im team concede 58 goals for La Liga. De la Fuente dey bet on tournament experience anyway. After all, na Simón start and win di Euro 2024 final.
