MADRID, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Spain coach Luis de la Fuente sprung a few surprises on Sunday when he named his 26-man squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The biggest change came in goal, with Joan Garcia included ahead of Alex Remiro, who had been a regular member of Spain squads over the past three and a half years.

De la Fuente also handed a first senior call-up to Marc Pubill after the Atletico Madrid defender impressed in the second half of the season with his versatility across central defense and right back.

Midfielder Gavi was selected despite missing much of the campaign with a knee injury, while Osasuna winger Victor Munoz was rewarded for a strong first full season in La Liga.

Spain also included Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal despite both ending the domestic season with injuries that could leave them short of full fitness when Spain opens its World Cup campaign against Cape Verde on June 15.

"I think it's a very well-thought-out and carefully considered list," De la Fuente told reporters.

"Every position has been carefully chosen, and whoever was on this list deserved it," he added, while admitting he had made several difficult phone calls to players left out of the squad.

"I've spoken with some of the players, and that's the hardest part, because there are so many capable players who could be part of the squad. It's true that this isn't the end of the story; we all have to keep working."

De la Fuente also played down concerns over the fitness of Williams, Yamal and Mikel Merino.

"We're very calm, and I think we'll be able to count on everyone from the first match," he said.

The coach added that Spain had been "very coordinated with the clubs, keeping a close eye on the players' situations and fitness levels."

"When they join us, we'll follow the procedures we've coordinated with their clubs, and if they aren't fully fit for the first match, they'll be able to play the second [against Saudi Arabia]," he said.

De la Fuente's decision to leave out Dean Huijsen means Real Madrid will not have a player in Spain's final 26-man squad, although striker Gonzalo Garcia is among nine players invited to train with the team before its departure for the United States in early June.

Spain squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Unai Simon, David Raya, Joan Garcia.

Defenders: Marc Cucurella, Alex Grimaldo, Pau Cubarsi, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Pubill, Eric Garcia, Marcos Llorente, Pedro Porro.

Midfielders: Pedri, Fabian Ruiz, Martin Zubimendi, Gavi, Rodri, Alex Baena, Mikel Merino.

Forwards: Mikel Oyarzabal, Dani Olmo, Nico Williams, Yeremy Pino, Ferran Torres, Borja Iglesias, Victor Munoz and Lamine Yamal. ■