De la Fuente unveils Spain squad from Ceuta in show of support for Spanish city
File Picture: Spain coach Luis de la Fuente announced his Nations League squad from Ceuta on Friday. | Photo Credit: AP
File Picture: Spain coach Luis de la Fuente announced his Nations League squad from Ceuta on Friday. | Photo Credit: AP
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente announced his Nations League squad from Ceuta on Friday, in a gesture of support for the Spanish territory in North Africa that has been at the centre of a migration crisis.
Making his first squad announcement since Spain won the World Cup, De la Fuente revealed the list through a video filmed in Ceuta, where he was joined by residents of the Spanish exclave.
More than 70,000 people attempted to cross the border from Morocco in late July, with over 100 people dying amid the chaos. While most returned soon afterwards, several thousand are still in Ceuta, a city with a population of just over 80,000.
De la Fuente did not directly address the border crossings or their consequences during the announcement, but underlined the territory’s place within Spain.
“This is Ceuta, this is Spain,” he said.
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The message reflected growing calls in Spain to support Ceuta, which had received relatively little attention on the mainland before the recent migration crisis.
Spain will begin its Nations League campaign against England at Wembley Stadium on Sept. 26. The players will wear two stars on their shirts for the first time following the country’s second World Cup triumph.
De la Fuente’s side will then host Croatia on Sept. 29 and the Czech Republic on Oct. 3 before travelling to face Croatia on Oct. 6.
The coach has retained most of the squad that won the World Cup, with only a handful of changes.
Inter Milan goalkeeper Josep Martinez has replaced Barcelona’s Joan Garcia, who is sidelined with a minor knee problem.
Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen comes in for Marcos Llorente following the latter’s retirement from international football, while Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez has replaced club teammate Gavi.
Espanyol striker Roberto Fernandez has earned his first senior call-up, taking the place of Borja Iglesias.
Ceuta is one of Spain’s two territories on the North African coast, alongside Melilla. It has been under Spanish control since 1580.
The city is home to Christian and Muslim communities, as well as Spanish and Moroccan residents and cross-border workers. It is separated from Morocco by a border fence that migrants from different parts of Africa have repeatedly attempted to cross, or swim around, in their effort to reach Europe.
( With inputs from AP).
Published on Sep 18, 2026
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