Three weeks before the opening of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the Spanish media "As" said that the "Bullfighting Army" has made a 55-member preliminary list, although half of them were finally screened, but there are still surprises. Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea has been selected as a five-man goalkeeper and is certain to miss the World Cup, and his national team career may be over. Conversely, 36-year-old centre-back Sergio Ramos still has a role.
According to As, Spain coach Luis Enrique has submitted a 55-man preliminary list, including Ansu Fati, as well as Mikel Oyazabal and Gerard Moreno, who are still injured, as well as national team newcomers Williams, Borja Iglesias and Sergio Canales. Luis Enrique will select 26 of them to form the World Cup squad. Luis Enrique asked the Spanish FA not to disclose the primary list, preserving flexibility in case of injury and other issues.
According to the report, most of the players involved in the World Cup qualifiers are on the 55-man list. Five goalkeepers, with Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Unai Simon, Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and Brentford goalkeeper David Raya expected to be the preferred three, while Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Kepa and Getafe goalkeeper David Soria are options, although it will be difficult for them to make the final list unless injuries occur to the three resident goalkeepers.
Luis Enrique set out to change the Spanish goalkeeper, meaning 31-year-old David De Gea has no chance. He played for Spain in Euro '16 and the World Cup '18, last in a 1–0 defeat to Ukraine in the UEFA Nations League in October '20. After Luis Enrique took office, David De Gea, who had worked his feet, was always thrown idle; Coupled with his "hellish" performance at the 2018 World Cup, it is difficult for him to return to the national team. David De Gea was selected for last year's European Championship but did not play. He has not been selected since last November's World Cup qualifiers.
David De Gea's defeat does not mean that Luis Enrique has abandoned the veteran. Former captain Sergio Ramos was reported to be in the primary, and the 180-time national team defender was also selected in the preliminary selection during the UEFA Nations League at the end of September, but did not make the final squad. Ramos, who last played in a World Cup qualifier at the end of March, overcame injury this season to play as a regular at Paris Saint-Germain.
Luis Enrique has reportedly selected five "spares" for each position, three of whom will be removed from the final list, although the goalkeeper will need to bring three. The World Cup teams must announce their final roster on the 14th of next month.