Spanish national team coach Julen Lopetegui announced the final roster participating in the 2026 World Cup, which included 26 players in preparation for the World Cup.
The final list witnessed the exclusion of the duo, Shihab Al-Laithi, the goalkeeper, and Rayan Al-Ali, after he preferred to keep 26 players according to the regulations approved by FIFA, after an intensive preparation period that the team went through during its last camp and the friendly matches that preceded the start of the World Cup. They are: Meshal Barshim, Mahmoud Abu Nada, Salah Zakaria, Ahmed Al-Janahi, Ahmed Alaa, Ahmed Fathi, Akram Afif, Edmilson Jr., Ayoub Al-Alawi, Sultan. Al-Breik, Hachemi Al-Hussein, Khoukhi Boualem, Pedro Miguel, Jassem Jaber, Hassan Al-Haidous, Al-Moez Ali, Assem Madbou, Abdelaziz Hatem, Issa Lay, Mohamed Manai, Karim Boudiaf, Lucas Mendes, Tahseen Mohamed, Hammam Al-Amin, Youssef Abdel Razzaq, Mohamed Muntari. Lopetegui’s decision came after careful follow-up of all the players during the various stages of preparation, as he was keen to evaluate the technical and physical readiness of all the elements before settling on the final list.
Al Annabi began his training in Santa Barbara, California, in preparation for the final stage of preparations before the start of the World Cup.
The current camp is part of the preparation program for the second and final friendly match against the El Salvador national team, scheduled for next Saturday, which represents the final rehearsal for Al-Anabi before entering the World Cup atmosphere, and also gives the technical staff led by Spaniard Lopetegui a final opportunity to determine the technical and physical readiness of the players.
Lopetegui held a meeting with the players, during which he reviewed the work program for the next stage and explained the details of the training plan.
The training session witnessed the participation of all the players on the final list, as the technical staff focused on the physical, technical and tactical aspects, in an effort to bring the players to the best levels of readiness.
The training atmosphere reflected a state of enthusiasm and focus within the Annabi ranks, as the players showed a great desire to present their best levels, whether in order to reserve a place in the starting lineup for the upcoming friendly match.
A positive atmosphere also prevailed inside the camp, in light of the players’ commitment to the instructions of the technical staff and their keenness to carry out the required duties, amid great optimism in achieving the desired goals of the Santa Barbara camp before facing El Salvador.
The upcoming friendly match with El Salvador is of special importance for the technical staff, as it is the last test before kickoff.
Lopetegui is taking advantage of the coming days to put the final touches on the starting lineup and the technical plan that he will rely on during the tournament.
Al-Anabi continues his daily training in Santa Barbara amid an atmosphere of seriousness and discipline, hoping to reach the highest levels of readiness before entering the friendly confrontation against El Salvador, which represents the last stop before the start of the anticipated global journey in the 2026 World Cup.
