De la Fuente names Spain Nations League squad from Ceuta in show of solidarity amid migration crisis

Luis de la Fuente named his Spain Nations League squad from Ceuta on Monday, using the announcement as a deliberate gesture of solidarity with the Spanish exclave in northern Africa, which has been at the centre of a migration crisis after more than 70,000 people crossed the border from Morocco in late July, with over 100 dying in the chaos.

The Spain coach appeared in a video recorded in Ceuta alongside local residents, declaring: “This is Ceuta, this is Spain.” Although De la Fuente did not directly address the border events, the choice of location carries clear symbolic weight at a moment when the territory — home to just over 80,000 inhabitants — has drawn unprecedented national attention. Most of those who crossed have since returned, but several thousand remain in the city.

Spain open their Nations League campaign against England at Wembley Stadium on 26 September, when the squad will wear two stars on their shirts for the first time following their second World Cup title. They then host Croatia on 29 September and the Czech Republic on 3 October, before travelling to face Croatia again on 6 October.

De la Fuente has largely retained the core of his World Cup-winning squad, with a handful of changes driven by injury and retirement. Inter Milan goalkeeper Josep Martínez comes in for Barcelona’s Joan García, who misses out with a minor knee problem. Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen replaces Marcos Llorente, who has retired from international football. Fermín López takes the place of Barcelona midfielder Gavi, while Espanyol forward Roberto Fernández earns his first senior call-up in place of Borja Iglesias.

Ceuta, along with Melilla, is one of two Spanish territories on the north African coast and has been under Spanish control since 1580. Its population of Christians, Muslims, and Spanish and Moroccan residents live in relative proximity behind a border fence that migrants from across Africa regularly attempt to cross in order to enter Europe.

Spain squad

Goalkeepers: Unai Simón (Athletic Bilbao), David Raya (Arsenal), Josep Martínez (Inter Milan)

Defenders: Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Bilbao), Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona), Eric Garcia (Barcelona), Marc Pubill (Atletico Madrid), Alejandro Grimaldo (Atletico Madrid), Marc Cucurella (Real Madrid), Dean Huijsen (Real Madrid), Pedro Porro (Tottenham)

Midfielders: Rodri Hernández (Barcelona), Pedri González (Barcelona), Fermín López (Barcelona), Martín Zubimendi (Arsenal), Mikel Merino (Arsenal), Fabián Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain), Álex Baena (Atletico Madrid)

Forwards: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Ferran Torres (Paris Saint-Germain), Yeremy Pino (Crystal Palace), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Víctor Muñoz (Liverpool), Roberto Fernández (Espanyol)