Spain’s Nations League Plans: Barça Core and Key Forward Decisions

Luis de la Fuente’s plans for the UEFA Nations League are taking shape, and the picture in midfield looks almost set. The one likely tweak is a familiar one: Fermin Lopez is expected to step in for Gavi, who will miss Spain’s opener at Wembley through suspension.

Gavi’s absence is a blow, but it comes at a complicated moment for the midfielder. He has already lost his starting spot at Barcelona after the injury he suffered at the start of La Liga against Elche, a setback that has stalled his club momentum. De la Fuente, though, rates him extremely highly. Even if he doesn’t walk straight back into the XI, he is not being pushed to the margins. Far from it. No scenario rules him out.

The real uncertainty lies further forward. Compared with the World Cup-winning squad, there is a vacant chair in the attacking line: the third striker role.

Mikel Oyarzabal and Ferran Torres have their tickets booked. Both are locked in. The doubt concerns the position previously occupied by Borja Iglesias. The forward began the season nursing a soleus muscle problem and has barely featured, which leaves that spot suddenly exposed and very much up for grabs.

Behind the established names, a group of hungry young forwards are banging on the door. Sergio Camello, Roberto, Espi and Gonzalo are all in contention to claim that final attacking berth. One of them could see his career change in a single squad announcement.

There is a numbers game to manage as well. Only 23 players can be registered for the UEFA Nations League group stage, down from the 26 allowed in the final phase. Even with that restriction, Spain are expected to go with a broad squad. Four matches packed into a short window demand fresh legs, smart rotation and cover in every line.

At club level, Barcelona’s influence is set to be overwhelming. The Catalan side will again form the backbone of the national team. Joan Garcia, Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, Pedri, Dani Olmo, Rodri and Lamine Yamal are all effectively guaranteed their place on the list. That is already a powerful Blaugrana block running straight through the team.

They might not be alone. Gavi and Fermin Lopez could both join them, while Xavi Espart is also in the frame. If everything falls into place, Spain could take the field with 10 Barcelona players in the squad, a dominance that recalls some of the national team’s most iconic eras.

The schedule offers no easing-in period. Spain open their Nations League campaign against England at Wembley on 26 September, a stage that will immediately test De la Fuente’s choices. Three days later, Croatia come to Seville on the 29th, a clash loaded with technical quality and tactical nuance.

Then comes a trip to Oviedo to face the Czech Republic on 3 October, a match that may demand rotation and give those fringe forwards their chance. Spain close this demanding window in Split against Croatia on 6 October, a fixture that could already carry weight in the group’s balance.

By then, we will know if the bet on youth in attack and a Barcelona-heavy core has pushed Spain closer to another trophy, or opened the door to fresh questions about the next evolution of this team.