Spain Euro 2024 squad guide: Fixtures, predictions and best players

  • Spain have named their provisional squad for Euro 2024
  • Luis de la Fuente overseeing his first major international tournament
  • 2008 and 2012 European champions looking for fourth crown
Spain are aiming for a fourth Euros triumph
Spain are aiming for a fourth Euros triumph / Flor Tan Jun/GettyImages
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Having once dominated international football, expectations are more subdued for Spain at Euro 2024.

The team stacked with superstars that won the Euros in 2008 and 2010, as well as the FIFA World Cup in 2010, has long since faded, replaced by a talented but more modest group of players. As a result, La Roja will not be considered the overwhelming favourites for this summer's tournament in Germany.

Having said that, Spain were a handful at Euro 2020 and were a penalty shootout away from reaching the final of the tournament. The 2023 UEFA Nations League champions boast some of the most exciting young prospects in world football and can perhaps take advantage of their status as slight underdogs for the title - certainly compared to the likes of France and England.

Here is your guide to Spain at Euro 2024.


Spain Euro 2024 squad selection

Pedro Porro
Tottenham's Pedro Porro missed out / Marc Atkins/GettyImages

Luis de la Fuente named an initial 29-man squad ahead of Euro 2024 for pre-tournament friendlies against Andorra and Northern Ireland and then cut three players for his final selection.

There weren't too many surprises, although there were some harsh omissions. One of those who can feel hard done by is Tottenham's Pedro Porro, who was left out despite an encouraging season in north London.

Gavi is a big miss for Spain in the engine room after suffering a long-term injury on international duty back in November last year. Real Madrid's Lucas Vazquez, fresh from winning another Champions League title, has been omitted, as has his former teammate Marco Asensio, now of Paris Saint-Germain.

A move to Saudi Arabia hasn't hindered Aymeric Laporte ahead of Euro 2024, with the Al Nassr defender included. Marc Cucurella is another slightly more surprising name to make the team, although his late season form for Chelsea was strong.

Spain do have a stacked midfield with the likes of Pedri, Rodri and Real Sociedad duo Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino, with plenty of exciting attacking options such as young Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams.


Spain's Euro 2024 squad

Player

Position

Club

Squad number

David Raya

Goalkeeper

Arsenal

1

Alex Remiro

Goalkeeper

Real Sociedad

13

Unai Simon

Goalkeeper

Athletic Club

23

Dani Carvajal

Defender

Real Madrid

2

Marc Cucurella

Defender

Chelsea

24

Nacho Fernandez

Defender

Real Madrid

4

Alejandro Grimaldo

Defender

Bayer Leverkusen

12

Aymeric Laporte

Defender

Al Nassr

14

Robin Le Normand

Defender

Real Sociedad

3

Jesus Navas

Defender

Sevilla

22

Dani Vivian

Defender

Athletic Club

5

Alex Baena

Midfielder

Villarreal

15

Fermin Lopez

Midfielder

Barcelona

25

Mikel Merino

Midfielder

Real Sociedad

6

Pedri

Midfielder

Barcelona

20

Rodri

Midfielder

Man City

16

Fabian Ruiz

Midfielder

PSG

8

Martin Zubimendi

Midfielder

Real Sociedad

18

Joselu

Forward

Real Madrid

9

Alvaro Morata

Forward

Atletico Madrid

7

Ayoze Perez

Forward

Real Betis

26

Dani Olmo

Forward

RB Leipzig

10

Mikel Oyarzabal

Forward

Real Sociedad

21

Ferran Torres

Forward

Barcelona

11

Nico Williams

Forward

Athletic Club

17

Lamine Yamal

Forward

Barcelona

19


Tactics

Luis de la Fuente
De la Fuente has worked with Spain's youth teams / Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/GettyImages

Usually set up in a 4-3-3 formation, it's hardly surprising that Spain like to dominate possession. With so many technical, ball-playing stars throughout their team, this is a logical setup orchestrated by former Spain youth team coach De la Fuente, who has just signed a new deal with La Roja.

They will take risks playing out from the back, something that opposition sides may attempt to prey upon. However, with such gifted passers in their ranks, especially once the ball reaches the centre of the pitch, they have the ability to play through an opposition press.

Spain also boast a plethora of exciting wide attackers, with the likes of Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal, Nico Williams and a rejuvenated Ayoze Perez at their disposal. In Alejandro Grimaldo and Dani Carvajal, they also have full-backs capable of stretching the pitch and mixing things up.

Their real strength comes in midfield, however. A three likely to consist of Rodri, Pedri and one other - potentially Merino or Fabian Ruiz - they will aim to execute complete control in the engine room.


Fixtures

Aymeric Laporte, Domenico Berardi, Jordi Alba
Spain reunite with Italy / Visionhaus/GettyImages

Spain are pretty familiar with two of their group stage opponents. They kick off their campaign in the 'group of death' against Croatia, the side they beat on penalties in the 2023 Nations League final and knocked out of Euro 2020 following a 5-3 victory after extra-time at the quarter-final stage.

Their second group stage foes are also a team with which they have mixed recent history. Italy, the defending European champions, beat Spain on penalties at Euro 2020 en route to the trophy, although La Roja did get some revenge by beating Italy in the semi-final of the 2023 Nations League.

One match Spain will be expected to win at a canter is their final group game against Albania, who are a surprise qualifier for Euro 2024. La Roja have won all eight past meetings, including a 9-0 triumph back in 1990.


Spain's Euro 2024 group stage fixtures

Date/Kick-off time (BST)

Fixture

Location

15/06/24 - 17:00

Spain vs Croatia

Olympiastadion, Berlin

20/06/24 - 20:00

Spain vs Italy

VELTINS-Arena, Gelsenkirchen

24/06/24 - 20:00

Albania vs Spain

Merkur Spiel-Arena, Dusseldorf


Spain's record vs Euro 2024 group stage opponents

Nation

Matches played

Won

Drawn

Lost

Croatia

10

6

1

3

Italy

40

15

13

12

Albania

8

8

0

0


Spain's potential knockout opponents

If Spain were to top Group B, they would receive a favourable draw against the third-placed side from Group A, D, E or F. But with some challenging matches to come, a second-placed finish is very possible, which would force them to play the runner-up from Group A.

Of course, a third-placed finish doesn't guarantee qualification to the last 16, but it could be enough depending on results elsewhere. If they were to finish behind two teams in Group B, they would be drawn against the winner of Group E or F.


Key players to watch

Rodrigo Hernandez
Rodri will be key for Spain / Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/GettyImages

As has been the case for Manchester City for some time now, Rodri holds the key for Spain. The linchpin of De la Fuente's side, his ability to command the centre of the park is pivotal to his nation's success, with La Roja having only lost seven of the 49 matches he has participated in.

Of course, his midfield partner Pedri will be vital, although whether he can find form after a slow and injury-hit last few months of the campaign remains to be seen. RB Leipzig's Dani Olmo, who has the ability to play in a variety of roles, could also be a difference-maker after a strong season in Germany.

Bayer Leverkusen's Alejandro Grimaldo has also enjoyed a wonderful Bundesliga campaign, with his 31 goal contributions from left-back crucial to a domestic double and Europa League final appearance.

Alvaro Morata may not be world's most clinical centre-forward but boasts a strong scoring record for Spain. He scored 21 for Atletico Madrid last term and has produced 34 in 71 matches at international level.


Emerging talents

Lamine Yamal
Yamal will be a key figure for Spain in Germany / Rafa Babot/GettyImages

Spain are fortunate enough to have one of the most promising talents in world football preparing for his first major international tournament. Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal had a remarkable breakout season during difficult times in Catalonia.

He may not be guaranteed a starting place but is more than capable of rising to the big occasion, as he has shown for Barca already. Yamal could prove a defining figure in the final third with his pace and flair on the right wing.

Club teammate Fermin Lopez has also made the cut after a strong season, although he is unlikely to be a starter. Athletic Club's Nico Williams, who is subject to interest from the Premier League, is guaranteed some minutes on the left flank.


Predictions

Spain v Scotland - UEFA EURO 2024 European Qualifiers
Spain may surprise a few / Anadolu/GettyImages

Spain will go into the tournament with the ambition of being crowned European champions for a record fourth time. While not the favourites for glory with the bookies or supporters, they are capable of being the last team standing in Germany this summer.

What they lack in natural superstars they make up for in talented individuals across the pitch, with not too many areas of obvious weakness compared to their rivals.

With the likes of France, England and hosts Germany soaking up much of the media's attention prior to the competition, Spain could sneak under the radar.


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