Just months before the start of the 2026 World Cup, Luis de la Fuente seems to have made his choices clear, leaving some talented players completely out of the picture. Doubts and criticism are mounting regarding his decisions, especially at left-back, where there is fierce competition for a crucial position in the “La Roja” squad.
The biggest surprise is that the coach’s complete confidence places Marc Cucurella as the undisputed starter, while Alejandro Grimaldo is assigned an influential backup role, having proven himself in recent tournaments and providing excellent stability on the left flank, a position long occupied by Jordi Alba.
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This arrangement results in the exclusion of prominent names such as Álvaro Carreras, Miguel Gutiérrez, and Alejandro Baldé, despite their impressive performances for their clubs. Carreras, for example, has become one of Real Madrid’s leaders, yet he knows his chances of being at the World Cup are virtually nonexistent, despite his full commitment and great ambition to represent the national team.
De la Fuente’s decision reflects a clear strategy: to trust players who have proven their ability to make a difference and achieve major victories, even if it means excluding some promising talents from the final squad
