Overview
- Spain's coach reiterated that player welfare guides selections and said Lamine Yamal did not play when there was any medical doubt.
- Hansi Flick had publicly criticized Spain in September, alleging Yamal played through pain with painkillers during international duty.
- Yamal was diagnosed with chronic pubalgia after the first international break and missed matches, featuring for Spain only twice since the summer.
- Spain qualified unbeaten for the 2026 World Cup and will use the March window to evaluate options before final squad decisions.
- Luis de la Fuente named Alejandro Balde and Alvaro Carreras on a pre-list and emphasized he will ignore outside pressure and pick who he deems best.