Spain boss Luis Enrique has announced his 26-man squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. So, HITC Football has taken a look at La Roja’s best possible XI with Ansu Fati and Gavi.
Enrique returned to the helm of the Spanish national side in November 2019, eight months after he had stepped down. The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) initially hired the 52-year-old in July 2018. But he left after six games in March 2019 citing personal reasons.
Spain went on to top Group B of the UEFA qualifying round for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. A spot in Group E and one of the headline first round games with Germany came as La Roja’s reward. Enrique’s men also face Costa Rica and Japan during the group stage.
Enrique announces his 26-man Spain squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar
Spain start their 2022 World Cup with a trip to Al Thumama Stadium to face Costa Rica on November 23. La Roja then travel to Al Bayt Stadium for their match with Germany on the 27th. Enrique’s team visits the Khalifa International Stadium on December 1 to face Japan.
Group E is the only one to include two former champions in 2010 victors La Roja and 2014 winners Germany. So, Enrique will hope the 26 players the RFEF announced this Friday for Spain’s World Cup squad are ready to go to Qatar as a title favourite and with an early test.
Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Club), Robert Sanchez (Brighton & Hove Albion), David Raya (Brentford)
Defenders: Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Eric Garcia, Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Pau Torres (Villarreal), Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City), Hugo Guillamon, Jose Gaya (Valencia)
Midfielders: Sergio Busquets, Pedri, Gavi (Barcelona), Rodri (Manchester City), Carlos Soler (Paris Saint-Germain), Marcos Llorente, Koke (Atletico Madrid), Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig)
Forwards: Ferran Torres, Ansu Fati (Barcelona), Pablo Sarabia (Paris Saint-Germain), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Marco Asensio (Real Madrid), Alvaro Morata (Atletico Madrid), Yeremy Pino (Villarreal)
So, with Enrique announcing a 26-man Spain squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, HITC Football has looked at who makes La Roja’s best XI with Barcelona gems Gavi and Fati…
Unai Simon (GK): The Athletic Bilbao star ousted De Gea to be Spain’s No.1
Simon ousted Manchester United shot-stopper David de Gea in November 2020 to emerge as Spain’s No.1. Enrique has relied on the Athletic Bilbao ace to guard La Roja’s net in 27 of a potential 29 games since the 25-year-old’s debut. He has also kept 12 clean sheets so far.
Cesar Azpilicueta (RB): Enrique is still unsure about his starting right-back in Qatar
Enrique is still unsure about his starting right-back ahead of Spain going to the World Cup. The Roja boss has regularly rotated between Azpilicueta and Carvajal in the role. But it will likely be the Chelsea ace starting in Qatar with the Real Madrid star struggling this season.
Pau Torres (CB): The Villarreal ace can show why Emery is keen to reunite at Villa
Torres could justify why Unai Emery is keen to reunite with the Villarreal enforcer at Aston Villa by impressing for Spain in Qatar. La Razon reports the Villans manager is interested in raiding his former side. But El Submari Groguet value him at a €65m (£57m) release clause.
Aymeric Laporte (CB): The Man City star is returning to fitness at the ideal time
Laporte is returning to fitness at the ideal time for Spain. The Manchester City star missed the start of the season after undergoing knee surgery over the summer. It kept the 15-cap enforcer out until October but he should be in shape to start for Enrique at the World Cup.
Jordi Alba (LB): The Barcelona star is off to his third World Cup with Spain
Alba is off to a third World Cup after Enrique announced the Barcelona full-back in his 26-man Spain squad. The 86-cap dynamo has also played every minute available at the two FIFA tournaments he has featured at. He played 270 at Brazil 2014 and 390 at Russia 2018.
Sergio Busquets (CDM): The only 2010 World Cup winner in Spain’s 2022 squad
Busquets is the only surviving member of Spain’s 2010 World Cup squad heading to Qatar in 2022. The Barcelona captain played the first of his, now, four FIFA tournaments in South Africa. He also featured in each of their fixtures en route to La Roja winning their first title.
Gavi (CM): The Barcelona gem is set for a key role in Qatar at just 18 years old
Gavi is set to hold a key role in Spain’s World Cup squad at just 18 years old. The Barcelona product already boasts 12 caps and a goal, while starting nine of his appearances. He made his Roja debut in October 2021 and is yet to fail to feature in a single fixture under Enrique.
Pedri (CM): The Barcelona gem is set for a key role in Qatar at just 19 years old
Another Barcelona gem in Pedri is also set for a key role in Qatar at just 19 years old. The Tegueste native has amassed 14 caps since his debut in March 2021 and has started 10 of a potential 14 games. Enrique has been unable to field the midfielder more due to injuries.
Ferran Torres (RW): Enrique will hope to see goals from the Barcelona forward
Enrique will hope to see Torres scoring regularly in Qatar having hit 13 and created two in his 30 caps. The Barcelona forward has also started 22 international games since his debut in September 2020. He has only failed to play in one available match back in October 2020.
Alvaro Morata (ST): The Atletico Madrid star will be Spain’s main goal threat
Morata will be Spain’s main goal threat in Qatar but the Atletico Madrid star has not been prolific on the international stage. The 57-cap forward has scored 27 goals across his caps ahead of travelling to Qatar. But only five of his goals have come over his last 11 matches.
Ansu Fati (LW): Qatar 2022 is the Barcelona gem’s chance to shine after injuries
Qatar 2022 is Fati’s chance to shine on a global stage after injuries held the Barcelona gem back. The 20-year-old has only featured four times with Spain and not at all since October 2020. Yet he had scored and assisted in only his second outing and the first of three starts.
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