Spain Leave Out Real Madrid Players as Barcelona Dominate World Cup Squad

Spanish national team head coach Luis de la Fuente announces the final list of the 26 players for the 2026 World Cup during an act held in Madrid, Spain, 25 May 2026. (EPA)
Spanish national team head coach Luis de la Fuente announces the final list of the 26 players for the 2026 World Cup during an act held in Madrid, Spain, 25 May 2026. (EPA)
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Spain Leave Out Real Madrid Players as Barcelona Dominate World Cup Squad

Spanish national team head coach Luis de la Fuente announces the final list of the 26 players for the 2026 World Cup during an act held in Madrid, Spain, 25 May 2026. (EPA)
Spanish national team head coach Luis de la Fuente announces the final list of the 26 players for the 2026 World Cup during an act held in Madrid, Spain, 25 May 2026. (EPA)

European champions Spain will travel to next month's World Cup with plenty of Barcelona swagger but no-one from Real Madrid after manager Luis de la Fuente named a 26-man squad on Monday built around eight players from the Catalan club.

It is the first time that Spain will go to a World Cup without a Real Madrid player in their squad, a striking absence for the 15-times Champions League winners as De la Fuente prepares to lead one of the tournament favorites.

Defenders Dean Huijsen and Dani Carvajal were among the Real Madrid ‌names to miss ‌out, leaving Barcelona to provide the spine of a team ‌chasing ⁠Spain's second World ⁠Cup title after their 2010 triumph in South Africa.

De la Fuente played down the absence of the club's players, preferring to highlight those who are in the squad.

"I'm the manager and I don't look at where the players come from. They're national team players; I don't look at one club or another. I don't have the same local bias that a fan might have. All I want is for these players to feel proud to represent ⁠the national team," De la Fuente told reporters.

Barcelona's contingent includes Joan ‌Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, Gavi, Pedri, Dani ‌Olmo, Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres, while seven players called up are based in the Premier ‌League.

"Excitement is the key word. Passion," De la Fuente said.

"The reaction of people all ‌over Spain - adults and children alike - is that they are fully behind the national team. It is an honor for me to represent the national team."

Arsenal provide three of Spain's Premier League-based players in goalkeeper David Raya and midfielders Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino, while Manchester City's Rodri gives ‌De la Fuente a commanding presence in midfield.

The coach also addressed the injury concern regarding Yamal and Nico Williams, who will ⁠arrive at the ⁠tournament nursing hamstring issues.

"We're very relaxed. Barring any setbacks, we'll have everyone available from the very first match. We're in close contact with the clubs' medical teams," he said.

"We'll call on them when we deem it appropriate. I'd like to reiterate that we'll have everyone in top form and we'll be able to enjoy watching them in the tournament."

Spain will arrive at the World Cup carrying the confidence of their European Championship triumph in Germany two years ago, but with the weight of expectation from a passionate fanbase.

Spain squad:

Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), David Raya (Arsenal), Joan Garcia (Barcelona)

Defenders: Pedro Porro (Tottenham Hotspur), Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid), Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Marc Pubill (Atletico Madrid), Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Bilbao), Eric Garcia (Barcelona), Alex Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea)

Midfielders: Rodri (Manchester City), Martin Zubimendi (Arsenal), Gavi (Barcelona), Pedri (Barcelona), Fabian Ruiz (Paris St Germain), Mikel Merino (Arsenal), Alex Baena (Atletico Madrid)

Forwards: Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Yeremy Pino (Crystal Palace), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Victor Munoz (Osasuna), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Borja Iglesias (Celta)



Alcaraz, Sinner, Osaka Commit to Australian Open '1 Point Slam'

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain in action against Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic during his final match of the Japan Open tennis tournament at Ariake Colosseum in Tokyo, Japan, 06 October 2026. EPA/FRANCK ROBICHON
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain in action against Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic during his final match of the Japan Open tennis tournament at Ariake Colosseum in Tokyo, Japan, 06 October 2026. EPA/FRANCK ROBICHON
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Alcaraz, Sinner, Osaka Commit to Australian Open '1 Point Slam'

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain in action against Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic during his final match of the Japan Open tennis tournament at Ariake Colosseum in Tokyo, Japan, 06 October 2026. EPA/FRANCK ROBICHON
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain in action against Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic during his final match of the Japan Open tennis tournament at Ariake Colosseum in Tokyo, Japan, 06 October 2026. EPA/FRANCK ROBICHON

The Australian Open will revive its innovative "1 Point Slam" in 2027 with Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka and Jannik Sinner among those agreeing to take part Thursday.

The sudden-death contest was played for the first time at Melbourne Park this year ahead of the opening Grand Slam of the year, pitting 24 professionals alongside 24 amateurs and celebrity wildcards.

Each match consisted of just one point -- win and you advanced, lose and you were out.

(FILES) Italy's Jannik Sinner celebrates winning against Germany's Alexander Zverev during their men's singles final tennis match on the fourteenth day of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 12, 2026. (Photo by Henry NICHOLLS / AFP)

Against the odds, amateur Jordan Smith sensationally upset the star-studded field at a packed Rod Laver Arena to collect a Aus$1 million (US$670,000) prize.

"It creates an opportunity for grassroots tennis players to share the spotlight with some of the biggest names in the game," AFP quoted Tennis Australia's Tom Larner as saying.

"Having stars like Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka and Jannik Sinner locked in to play, alongside everyday Australians ... captures exactly what this event is about, bringing people together through tennis."

Japan's Naomi Osaka hits a return to Czech Republic's Karolina Muchova during their women's singles match at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing on October 6, 2026. (Photo by ADEK BERRY / AFP)

The amateur field will again comprise winners of eight state championship rounds played across Australia, along with eight others who come through qualifying.

More than 1.3 million fans attended the 2026 Australian Open, and organizers are planning to increase viewing capacity and seating even further for the 2027 tournament which runs from January 17-31.


Saudi Arabia Climbs to 55th in FIFA World Rankings, Fourth among Arab Nations

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
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Saudi Arabia Climbs to 55th in FIFA World Rankings, Fourth among Arab Nations

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT

Saudi Arabia climbed three places to 55th in the latest FIFA World Rankings, released following the international break, up from 58th following the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Saudi national team accumulated 1,443.17 ranking points to finish fourth among Arab national teams, behind Morocco, Egypt, and Algeria, the Saudi Press Agency said.

Saudi Arabia's rise followed their unbeaten triumph at the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup (Khaleeji 27) in Jeddah, where they lifted the trophy without conceding a goal. The tournament's results were officially counted toward the FIFA World Rankings for the first time.

At the top of the standings, world champions Spain retained first place following a strong run of results in the UEFA Nations League qualifiers, securing progression to the later stages. Argentina remained second, followed by France in third and England in fourth.

Portugal climbed to fifth on the back of successive Nations League victories, ahead of Brazil in sixth and Morocco in seventh.

Elsewhere among Arab teams, Egypt slipped one place to 25th, while Algeria rose one spot to 28th.


Former Spurs Defender Vega to Stand for FIFA Presidency

Ramon Vega. (Getty Images)
Ramon Vega. (Getty Images)
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Former Spurs Defender Vega to Stand for FIFA Presidency

Ramon Vega. (Getty Images)
Ramon Vega. (Getty Images)

Former Tottenham defender Ramon Vega has become the first person to announce he intends to run against incumbent Gianni Infantino in the FIFA presidential election next year.

The 55-year-old former Switzerland center-back has been working in finance since he retired in 2004.

It is not the first time, though, that Vega has announced his intention to run for the top job at world football's governing body.

He had considered running against Infantino following the resignation of Sepp Blatter in the wake of a corruption scandal in 2015.

And he tried to challenge his fellow Swiss in 2022, but failed to garner sufficient support to make it onto the ballot.

"The situation has evolved a lot since then," Vega told AFP, adding FIFA's member associations were "much more open to change" than when he previously sought to stand.

"I am standing because my life has prepared me to serve the game," Vega added in an 11-page dossier announcing his candidacy.

"I believe I have a duty and a social responsibility to protect and defend football -- its integrity, its people and its future."

Pressure has been building on Infantino, who has lost the support of numerous FIFA member associations, since his aborted plan to create a commercial subsidiary to run FIFA's biggest events, such as the World Cup and Club World Cup.

Last week, the Swiss Football Association became the latest to withdraw its support for Infantino, citing concerns over his record on transparency, accountability and institutional responsibility.

"Faith and trust across the football family have been deeply damaged," said Vega in his dossier.

"We must rebuild both, restore FIFA's credibility and reunite the global football family."

It is not clear whether Vega would be able to stand.

He must first gain the backing of at least five of FIFA's 211 member federations, but also be proposed by one of those.

The rules stipulate a candidate must have been involved in football for two of the previous five years, and pass an eligibility review.

Potential candidates have until November 18 to meet those criteria.