Young guns get chance to shine in Spain's World Cup squad

By Selcuk Bugra Gokalp

ANKARA (AA) – Spanish coach Luis Enrique on Friday announced his 26-player squad for the World Cup kicking off in Qatar this month.

Seven Barcelona players have made the cut, including young stars Pedri, Gavi, and Ansu Fati.

Ferran Torres, Eric Garcia, and seasoned veterans Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba round off the contingent from the Catalan club.

Other notable names picked are Cesar Azpilicueta, Dani Carvajal, Rodri, Alvaro Morata, Pau Torres, Jose Gaya, and Dani Olmo.

Enrique made some big calls when it came to omissions, leaving out the likes of former captain Sergio Ramos, David De Gea, and Thiago Alcantara.

Spain are one of only eight countries to have won the World Cup, lifting the coveted trophy in 2010 in South Africa.

- Squad

Goalkeepers: Robert Sanchez (Brighton & Hove Albion), Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), David Raya (Brentford)

Defenders: Pau Torres (Villarreal), Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City), Eric Garcia (Barcelona), Jose Gaya (Valencia), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Hugo Guillamon (Valencia)

Midfielders: Rodri (Manchester City), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Pedri (Barcelona), Gavi (Barcelona), Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid), Carlos Soler (Paris Saint-Germain), Koke (Atletico Madrid)

Forwards: Dani Olmo (Leipzig), Ansu Fati (Barcelona), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Yeremy Pino (Villarreal), Marco Asensio (Real Madrid), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Pablo Sarabia (Paris Saint-Germain), Alvaro Morata (Atletico Madrid)