Source: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nDe la Fuente has put his faith in the Barcelona-led core that helped Spain win Euro 2024, selecting Yamal, who played a key role in that triumph, even after the 18-year-old tore his hamstring in April and missed the end of Barca\u2019s La Liga campaign.<\/p>\n
The Spain boss insisted he had \u201cno doubt\u201d Yamal would be fit for the tournament opener against Cape Verde on June 15.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re very calm,\u201d De la Fuente said. \u201cIf there are no setbacks, we can almost have everyone available from the first game. We\u2019ve been co-ordinating with the clubs and I have no doubt they\u2019ll be ready.\u201d<\/p>\n
De la Fuente rejected suggestions club politics influenced his selection.<\/p>\n
\u201cI do not look at where players come from,\u201d he said. \u201cI only evaluate whether they have the level to play for the Spanish national team.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spain\u2019s squad overhaul included the omission of veteran striker \u00c1lvaro Morata, who captained the country to Euro 2024 glory, as De la Fuente continues to build around a younger generation led by Yamal, Pedri and Gavi.<\/p>\n
While there was anger for Dean Huijsen, the selection was an emotional one for 21-year-old Barcelona star Gavi.<\/p>\n
The midfielder, who has 28 caps already, became a senior Spain international while still aged 17 and was a key player before he suffered an ACL injury in November 2023 that ruled him out of the Euros 2024 campaign.<\/p>\n
Another injury setback earlier this season had his World Cup in peril to win his place but he returned to form in the latter stages of La Liga.<\/p>\n
Gavi burst into tears when his name was read out, with Lamine Yamal videoing him at the club\u2019s training ground.<\/p>\n
\u201cA dream come true to be representing my country at a second World Cup!\u201d Gavi said on Instagram. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis one feels different after all the suffering – falling and getting back up twice in three years. I promise to give everything I have to bring the World Cup home. It is an honour to be part of this 26-man squad; we will make you all proud!\u201d<\/p>\n
Ranked second in the world behind France, Spain head to the United States as one of the favourites for the expanded 48-team tournament.<\/p>\n
The 2010 world champions will face Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in Group H before beginning the knockout stages they hope will erase memories of their shock round-of-16 elimination to Morocco at the 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n
Scroll down for more in this week\u2019s Road to the World Cup! <\/i><\/p>\n
Boyle intent on redemption<\/b><\/p>\n
Martin Boyle said he is training \u201cwith my heart\u201d in a bid to find World Cup redemption after being resigned to the role of \u201cvibes manager\u201d in 2022.<\/p>\n
Speaking from the Australia national soccer team training camp in Florida, he said he was driven to make Tony Popovic\u2019s final selection after the harrowing injury that cost him a place in the team in Qatar.<\/p>\n
Boyle suffered a serious ACL injury just before the tournament, with complications during surgery leading to a full knee reconstruction in what he described as the \u201ctoughest time\u201d of his career.<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>Martin Boyle said he is training \u201cwith my heart\u201d in a bid to find World Cup redemption after being resigned to the role of \u201cvibes manager\u201d in 2022.<\/span>Source: AFP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\u201cI\u2019ve been extremely driven to make the World Cup,\u201d Boyle said. \u201cComing back from an ACL injury is not ideal. Some people don\u2019t recover the same, but every time I seem to get injured, I know I\u2019m going to come back much stronger.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve got a strong mentality.\u201d<\/p>\n
Boyle said Tony Popovic has fostered fierce competition inside the extended Socceroos camp, with players battling for a place at the finals.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of boys competing for spots to go to the World Cup,\u201d Boyle said. \u201cI\u2019ll train with my heart, as I always do, and be as professional as I can. If it gets me there, it gets me there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite missing the tournament in Qatar, Boyle still travelled with the squad and became an important figure around the group during Australia\u2019s run to the knockout stages.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe lads coming together and asking me to stay there and be a part of the group was a special feeling,\u201d Boyle said. \u201cI was in a lot of pain, I was on a lot of medication after the ACL reconstruction. But I just tried to be my normal self around the boys, making them feel good and relaxed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Boyle said the current Socceroos squad is capable of going even further at this World Cup after narrowly falling to eventual champions Argentina national football team in the last 16 in 2022.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe feel like we can go one step further this time,\u201d he said. \u201cThe belief is very high. We\u2019ve got a good mix of young boys and experience, and the manager isn\u2019t scared to make changes. You have to be on it every day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Miami\u2019s Messi update<\/b><\/p>\n
For years, Lionel Messi has seemed inevitable, but is the superstar starting to feel his age? The Argentine, who turns 39 on June 24 during the World Cup, sent a scare through his nation on Monday (AEST) when he limped off during his club team Inter Miami CF\u2019s 6-4 win over the Philadelphia Union.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, the club released a statement clarifying Messi was suffering fatigue rather than a tournament-threatening injury \u2014 but that is not a great sign ahead of a six-week tournament in which his team is expected to go deep.<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi sent a scare through his nation on Monday (AEST) when he limped off.<\/span>Source: AP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nBarring any significant setback, coach Lionel Scaloni is expected to name Messi in his 26-man squad on June 1 for what would be the superstar\u2019s sixth World Cup appearance, equalling the record shared with longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo.<\/p>\n
This is not the first time Messi has entered a World Cup under an injury cloud. Ahead of the 2022 tournament in Qatar, he battled an inflamed Achilles tendon while playing for Paris Saint-Germain F.C., but still went on to play every minute of Argentina\u2019s triumphant run to the trophy.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter undergoing further medical tests this Monday, the initial diagnosis indicates an overload associated with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring,\u201d Inter Miami said in a news release. \u201cThe timeline for his return to physical activity will depend on his clinical and functional progress.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAs far as I know, we don\u2019t have a report on that yet, but he really was fatigued. It was fatigue,\u201d Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos said after the game. \u201cYes, it was fatigue. He was tired, the field was heavy, and rather than doubt, you always say not to take the risk.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2018Cry me a river\u2019 about pressure<\/b><\/p>\n
Former US World Cup player Alexi Lalas has warned the current players not to \u201cwhine\u201d about pressure as they prepare to host the World Cup and try to get out of the Socceroos\u2019 group.<\/p>\n
While American pundits believe qualification from Group D is a \u201clay-up\u201d and they should \u201cstay home\u201d if they can\u2019t beat Australia, the players have warned that hosting brings additional pressure.<\/p>\n
Lalas, who played for the United States at the 1994 World Cup on home soil, gave the idea that the players were under pressure short shrift at a Fox Sports event promoting the broadcaster\u2019s tournament coverage in New York, and said the current generation was failing to meet expectations despite having more resources than previous US sides.<\/p>\n
\u201cCry me a river, OK, when it comes to the pressure,\u201d Lalas said. \u201cBunch of whiners, that they\u2019re whining about the pressure.<\/p>\n
\u201cAllow me to grumpy old man a little bit here. This is a generation that has been given absolutely everything both on and off the field in terms of resources, in terms of opportunities, in terms of pathways.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think that I\u2019m being unrealistic. I don\u2019t think I\u2019m being unfair by saying that we should expect more from this group. We should expect this team to win this group.\u201d<\/p>\n
The comments come after the team\u2019s captain Christian Pulisic admitted earlier this year that players were already feeling the pressure of performing at a home World Cup.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s pressure, I feel it. Yes, it\u2019s there, but it\u2019s nothing that I can\u2019t handle,\u201d Pulisic said in March. \u201cI\u2019m going to attack it head on. We are as a team. I don\u2019t need to do it by myself.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lalas also questioned Pulisic\u2019s leadership qualities despite describing the AC Milan winger as potentially the greatest American men\u2019s player of all time.<\/p>\n
<\/amp-ima-video><\/p>\nUSA a ‘lay-up’ to beat Socceroos?! | 01:53<\/p>\n
<\/div>\n\u201cHe\u2019s a fascinating player in terms of his talent. He\u2019s a frustrating player in terms of his personality,\u201d Lalas said. \u201cHe\u2019s well on his way to becoming the best male American soccer player in history.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s never going to be the leader that people want him to be, and that\u2019s OK because I think there\u2019s others that can do that, but he needs to be the star that this team needs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pulisic has had a miserable season with AC Milan, and his lack of end product has contributed to the famous club failing to qualify for the Champions League from Serie A.<\/p>\n
Lalas echoed the sentiment of many other American pundits when he predicted the United States should comfortably progress from its World Cup group before targeting a deeper run on home soil.<\/p>\n
Lalas said reaching the quarterfinals would place the Americans in \u201ckind of rarefied air\u201d and argued the tournament represented a huge branding opportunity for the squad\u2019s biggest names.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you star this summer, and this team does well this summer, you will be remembered forever,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Swedish superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovi\u0107 also appeared during the event and challenged conservative predictions for the United States.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t have the courage to say US is going to win the World Cup,\u201d Ibrahimovi\u0107 said. \u201cShow some courage and say: \u2018We\u2019re going to win it.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Family Feud 2.0<\/b><\/p>\n
The USA team was leaked last weekend, with The Guardian and The Athletic arriving at the 26 players they say will be announced by coach Mauricio Pochettino. The official announcement will be at 5am Wednesday (AEST) and is set to lock in two players who have been part of an extraordinary family feud.<\/p>\n
Both Gio Reyna and Sebastian Berhalter, whose parents fell out in the wake of the 2022 tournament, are expected to be named.<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>Gio Reyna and Sebastian Berhalter (pictured), whose parents fell out in the wake of the 2022 tournament, are expected to be named.<\/span>Source: AP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe feud between the Berhalter and Reyna families exploded after Gio Reyna played a limited role in Qatar under coach Gregg Berhalter, despite the families having been extremely close for decades.<\/p>\n
Gio\u2019s father, former US captain Claudio Reyna, was one of Berhalter\u2019s closest friends and even served as best man at his wedding, while their wives were former University of North Carolina teammates and roommates.<\/p>\n
Tensions escalated after Berhalter revealed at a leadership conference that he had nearly sent an unnamed player home from Qatar for poor attitude and effort, with the player later identified as Gio Reyna.<\/p>\n
Claudio Reyna admitted contacting senior US Soccer officials to complain about his son\u2019s treatment, while Gio\u2019s mother, Danielle Reyna, informed federation executives about a 1991 domestic violence incident involving Berhalter and his now-wife Rosalind.<\/p>\n
Berhalter admitted he had kicked Rosalind during an argument in 1991, calling the incident \u201cshameful\u201d while revealing he had undergone counselling afterward. US Soccer eventually cleared him to continue coaching, ruling the incident isolated and determining the Reynas\u2019 actions did not constitute blackmail or extortion.<\/p>\n
Reyna was no sure thing after his career seemingly went backwards post-2022. He has been a major disappointment in the Bundesliga with Borussia M\u00f6nchengladbach and his selection has not been universally applauded, with MLS favourite Diego Luna missing out.<\/p>\n
Socceroo snub to Croatia standby<\/b><\/p>\n
Adrian Sege\u010di\u0107 is staying positive despite missing out on the World Cup after quitting Australia to commit to Croatia.<\/p>\n
The Australian-born Portsmouth F.C. attacker was left out of Croatian coach Zlatko Dali\u0107\u2019s final 26-man squad, but earned a place on Croatia\u2019s seven-player standby list after a breakthrough season in England, where he scored 11 goals and finished the season in peak form.<\/p>\n
\u201cHonestly, I didn\u2019t expect everything to happen so quickly,\u201d the 21-year-old said after the squad announcement. \u201cI was focused on my performances at club level, so receiving a pre-call-up from the coach is a huge honour and motivation for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sege\u010di\u0107 appeared on course to represent the Socceroos before flipping to Croatia, and he wore their colours for the first time in the under-21 setup in March.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery young player dreams of being close to Croatia\u2019s senior national team, but I know this is only the beginning and I have to keep working even harder,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>Snubbed.<\/span>Source: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nI spy\u2026<\/b><\/p>\n
Coach Thomas Tuchel has revealed England will ramp up security around their World Cup training base amid fears rival nations could attempt to spy on preparations during the 2026 tournament.<\/p>\n
England will be based in Kansas City, Missouri, at the Swope Soccer Village throughout the World Cup.<\/p>\n
Speaking after naming his 26-man World Cup squad, Tuchel admitted privacy around training sessions would be critical once the tournament begins.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will have security there and we will build a bit of protection,\u201d Tuchel said. \u201cYou don\u2019t want the opponent to know your set-pieces, your team build-ups or your penalties. We\u2019re trying to be as private as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
The security questions followed renewed focus on football espionage following the recent \u201cSpygate\u201d controversy, where Southampton F.C. were punished after admitting to unauthorised filming of Middlesbrough training sessions before a Championship play-off clash.<\/p>\n
At the 2018 World Cup, Sweden national football team apologised after sending a scout to observe South Korea\u2019s training base in Austria using a telescope, while France national football team accused Brazil of using drones to monitor training sessions during the 2014 tournament. Former France coach Didier Deschamps said at the time that the growing use of drones had made it increasingly difficult to protect team privacy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Spain\u2019s selectors have snubbed their most successful club, Real Madrid, in historic fashion by naming a 26-man World Cup squad without a single player from Los Blancos for the first time. Barcelona\u2019s brilliant youngster Lamine Yamal was named, as expected, despite his ongoing injury concern, but the headline was the complete absence of Real Madrid 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