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)



On Your bike! Bottas Opts for 2 Wheels to Reach Singapore GP

Cadillac's Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas arrives ahead of the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang on October 4, 2026. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)
Cadillac's Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas arrives ahead of the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang on October 4, 2026. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)
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On Your bike! Bottas Opts for 2 Wheels to Reach Singapore GP

Cadillac's Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas arrives ahead of the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang on October 4, 2026. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)
Cadillac's Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas arrives ahead of the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang on October 4, 2026. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)

Valtteri Bottas swapped his Formula One car for a bicycle as he pedaled the 420 kilometers from Sepang in Malaysia to this week's Singapore Grand Prix.

Other drivers on the grid enjoyed luxury private planes for the short flight between Sunday's Bahrain GP at the Sepang circuit near Kuala Lumpur to the Marina Bay Circuit in Singapore, which borders Malaysia.

But Bottas, a keen cyclist, instead got on his bike in the tropical heat.

"Yeah, I'm riding to Singapore on the gravel roads less travelled," Bottas posted on X on Monday.

Late on Wednesday night he reported he had made it to Singapore safely on his saddle after a "419.67km commute" (around 260 miles).

"Well arrived in Singapore this arvo," added the Finnish driver.

"What an epic adventure more to come eventually!"

His Cadillac team told AFP that his epic bike ride, which began hours after spinning out of Sunday's Bahrain GP in Malaysia, had been a "private activity.”

Cycling has become one of Bottas's main activities when he is away from F1.


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.