Goalkeeper explains omission of Barcelona signing from national team

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has come under scrutiny after deciding not to include Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia in his latest national team squad.

Garcia, who joined Hansi Flick’s side this summer after impressing at Espanyol, has earned widespread praise for his reliability and form since making the move. 

The 24-year-old was a key figure in Espanyol’s strong campaign last season and has quickly established himself as a trusted option for Barcelona.

Despite his progress, de la Fuente chose to retain his established trio of Unai Simon, David Raya, and Alex Remiro, a call that surprised many. 

Athletic Club’s Simon has since commented on the issue, recognising Garcia’s quality while also defending the goalkeepers selected.

Simon noted that it was natural for people to highlight Garcia’s displays, particularly after his standout performance against Rayo Vallecano. 

He also described the Barcelona man as the most impressive goalkeeper in La Liga last season, but insisted that such recognition should not overshadow the value of those chosen by the national coach.

The Spain international pointed out that while Garcia excelled last term, the other goalkeepers also have significant records to their name. 

He referred to his own achievements, such as winning the Zamora Trophy two years ago, contributing to Athletic Club’s strong defensive record last season, and being part of Spain’s recent European Championship success.

Simon is expected to retain his starting place when Spain begin their World Cup qualifying campaign against Bulgaria and Türkiye in the September international window. 

Garcia, meanwhile, will look to maintain his momentum at Barcelona as calls for his inclusion in La Roja are likely to grow louder if his form continues.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled for the United States of America, Mexico, and Canada in the summer of 2026 with an expanded format that will see the competition participants increase from 32 to 48 teams in total.