The most debated selection headache in Spanish football has taken a controversial turn. On Thursday, December 25, 2025, reports from Cadena SER and AS suggest that Joan García—widely considered the best-performing goalkeeper in La Liga this season—is at serious risk of being left out of Spain’s 2026 World Cup squad.
Despite his meteoric rise since joining FC Barcelona from Espanyol last summer, García faces an uphill battle to break into a "closed" goalkeeping department.
The "De la Fuente" Verdict: Continuity Over Form?
In a recent interview with Diario AS, Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente addressed the growing clamor for García’s inclusion. While he acknowledged the 24-year-old’s brilliance, his words suggested a preference for the "old guard."
The Sticking Point: De la Fuente emphasized his satisfaction with the current trio: Unai Simón (Athletic Bilbao), David Raya (Arsenal), and Álex Remiro (Real Sociedad).
The Quote: "It’s true that we’re betting on these three now... we have five or six of the best goalkeepers in the world. Nobody talks about
Robert Sánchez or Leo Román either. And of course Joan García."
The Warning: He noted that while García's time "will come," international selection is built on trust and service rather than just "the club badge a player wears."
The Stats: Why Fans are Outraged
The debate has polarized Spanish pundits because, statistically, García has outperformed the "established three" throughout the first half of the 2025/26 season.
Goalkeeper,2025/26 Clean Sheets,Save Percentage,Status
Joan García,9,78.4%,On the Periphery
Unai Simón,6,71.2%,Spain's No. 1
David Raya,7,74.5%,Trusted Backup
Álex Remiro,5,69.8%,Third Choice
The "Espanyol Factor" and Barcelona Move
García’s summer move to Barcelona for €25 million was supposed to be the final catalyst for his senior international debut.
He has successfully displaced Inaki Peña and replaced the legacy of Marc-André ter Stegen (who is nearing the end of his career). However, De la Fuente’s refusal to call him up during the September and October windows has led to fears that the "hierarchy is fixed" for North America 2026.
What Needs to Happen for García?
With only two international windows remaining before the final squad announcement, García has a very narrow window to convince the coach.
The March Window: If he is not called up for the friendlies in March 2026, his World Cup dream is effectively over barring an injury to the main trio.
Champions League Heroics: Reports suggest De la Fuente is waiting to see how García handles the pressure of the Champions League knockout stages with Barcelona before making a final decision.
The "Injury Variable": Should Simón, Raya, or Remiro suffer a setback, García is officially the "first name on the standby list."
The Verdict: Joan García is currently the "victim" of Spain's immense goalkeeping depth. He is doing everything right on the pitch, but in the eyes of Luis de la Fuente, he lacks the tournament "scar tissue" that the current trio possesses.