De la Fuente Sets Deadlines for Spain's World Cup Squad Announcement

Spain national team coach Luis de la Fuente is preparing to announce the preliminary squad for the upcoming World Cup. An initial list of 55 players is expected to be revealed by May 11, with the number subsequently reduced to a final 26 players by the deadline of June 1.

This move aligns with the tournament's new requirements, which mandate the submission of an expanded squad before finalizing the roster that will travel to the United States on June 5.

De la Fuente explained that the team's structure is already clear to observers. The Spanish coach stated: "If you follow the previous call-ups, it is quite clear."

The new regulations require an initial squad of 55 players, a procedure that differs from previous editions of the tournament. Should it become necessary to make changes after the final squad is announced, replacements must be chosen exclusively from the players excluded from the expanded list.

The rules also allow flexibility for replacing outfield players up to 24 hours before the official start of participation. Goalkeeper replacements, however, remain an option throughout the competition with medical approval from FIFA.