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De la Fuente Says Carvajal Must Prove Fitness for Spain’s World Cup Squad

The veteran right back faces a short window to show form before Spain’s June 15 opener.

Soccer Football - LaLiga - Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - March 22, 2026 Real Madrid's Dani Carvajal reacts REUTERS/Ana Beltran

Overview

  • Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said Wednesday that Dani Carvajal must prove his fitness and form to make the World Cup squad after a right-foot injury in training last week.
  • De la Fuente called the 34-year-old a key voice in the dressing room and said the issue is not serious, though the defender needs time to reach his usual level.
  • Yahoo Sports reported a fracture of the fifth toe in Carvajal’s right foot with an estimated two-week layoff, a detail not confirmed by Spain.
  • Carvajal has struggled for minutes at Real Madrid this season, losing the right-back role to Trent Alexander-Arnold as his contract runs to June 30.
  • Spain open Group H against Cape Verde on June 15 in a tournament running June 11 to July 19, leaving only a few games for Carvajal to stake his claim.