Spain manager Julen Lopetegui once again named a 26 man squad for the decisive World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Israel. Vitolo, Deulofeu, Suso and David Villa were left out for various reasons, and Illarramendi, Callejón and Rodrigo were recalled. The Valencia striker (who is Thiago’s cousin) had only played once for his country before, and had not featured in the coach’s plans up to now. Under 21 coach Albert Celades also announced a provisional 24 man squad for the European qualifier against Slovakia, although he is expected to cut this back to 20 or 21 names before the match. Jesús Vallejo, Córdoba, Zubeldia, Fabián, Carles Aleñá and Aleix Febas were the new faces. Full squads as below. (29.09.17)
Senior squad:
Keepers: Kepa (Athletic Bilbao), De Gea (Manchester United), Reina (Napoli);
Defenders: Monreal (Arsenal), Jordi Alba and Piqué (Barcelona), Marc Bartra (Borussia Dortmund), Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Dani Carvajal, Nacho and Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid);
Midfielders: Koke and Saúl Ñíguez (Atlético Madrid), Busquets and Iniesta (Barcelona), Thiago (Bayern Munich), David Silva (Manchester City), Isco and Marco Asensio (Real Madrid), Illarramendi (Real Sociedad);
Forwards: Morata and Pedro (Chelsea), Iago Aspas (Celta), Callejón (Napoli), Rodrigo (Valencia).
P.S. Carvajal, Iniesta and Morata all pulled out with injuries, and Odriozola (Real Sociedad), Jonathan Viera (Las Palmas) and Aduríz (Athletic Bilbao) have been called up to replace them. Odriozola and Viera are both uncapped.
Under 21 squad:
Keepers: Sivera (Alavés), Unai Simón (Athletic Bilbao), Iván Villar (Celta);
Defenders: Unai Nuñez (Athletic Bilbao), Aarón Martín (Espanyol), Pablo Maffeo (Girona), Jorge Meré (Köln), Pol Lirola (Sassuolo), Jesús Vallejo (Real Madrid), Jorge Sáenz (Tenerife), Toni Lato (Valencia);
Midfielders: Córdoba (Athletic Bilbao), Carles Aleñá (Barcelona), Fabián (Betis), Mikel Merino (Newcastle), Dani Ceballos (Real Madrid), Zubeldia (Real Sociedad), Carlos Soler (Valencia), Pablo Fornals and Rodri (Villarreal), Aleix Febas (Zaragoza);
Forwards: Borja Mayoral (Real Madrid), Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Marc Gual (Sevilla).
PS. Jorge Sáenz, Carles Aleñá and Aleix Febas were released after the initial training sessions to reduce the squad down to 21 players.