FC Barcelona goalkeeper Joan García will be called up to the Spain national team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. According to a report by AS, the 25-year-old will be included in manager Luis de la Fuente's final 26-man squad for the tournament that kicks off on June 11th in North America.
García's selection is based on his outstanding performances throughout the season and the highly positive impression he made during his most recent spell with the national team. The coaching staff values his personality, adaptability, and ability to maintain group harmony during long tournaments, factors that will be key in a camp that could last around 50 days, from early June until the final on July 19th. His understanding of his role and seamless fit into the squad dynamic during the March international break were decisive.
Why has De la Fuente chosen Joan García?
Luis de la Fuente did not call up García earlier in the season, but the goalkeeper had long aimed for this moment. At FC Barcelona, he established himself as the first-choice keeper ahead of Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Wojciech Szczesny from the start of the campaign and is likely to end the season with the Zamora Trophy. This club form, coupled with the respect he has earned from his Spain teammates, including fellow goalkeepers Unai Simón, David Raya, and Alex Remiro, paved the way.
The national team heads to the World Cup in fine form. They currently sit top of their qualifying group with 7 points from 2 wins and a draw in 3 games, and are on a five-game winning streak. Their last result was a 1-0 victory over Argentina on July 19th. With 5 goals scored and none conceded, Spain is showing defensive solidity where García could contribute. Forward Mikel Oyarzabal is the team's top scorer this season with 5 goals in 8 appearances.
What is García's role within Spain's goalkeeping unit?
Unai Simón remains the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper for Luis de la Fuente, valued for his leadership and composure. Joan García's role, therefore, will be that of a high-quality backup who provides competition and stability in the dressing room throughout the lengthy World Cup camp. His senior debut for Spain already came at the Cornellà-El Prat stadium against Egypt, a familiar venue from his time at RCD Espanyol.
What does this call-up mean for the immediate future?
García's inclusion is a recognition of his trajectory and a vote of confidence at a high point for the national team. Spain faces its next fixture away to England on September 26th, a match you can track on our fixtures page. With a four-point lead over Cape Verde Islands in the standings, the Spanish squad approaches the World Cup with ambition and a roster where competition for every position, including goalkeeper, is intense. Fans can follow the team's progress and complete statistics in our standings and stats sections.
