Coach: Vicente del Bosque
Player to Watch: Fernando Torres
World Cup record: 12 appearances
World Ranking: 2
Group H Schedule
16 June – Span v Switzerland
21 June – Spain v Honduras
25 June – Chile v Spain
Outsiders cannot fathom how Cesc Fabregas is not an automatic starter even though the Arsenal captain is one of the most influential players in the English Premier League.
His omission illustrates the intensity of competition for midfield places. Barcelona fans wonder why goalkeeper Victor Valdes has been overlooked for so long despite his superb form for the Catalan side, but there is little doubt that captain Iker Casillas deserves his place as number one between the posts.
Fernando Torres scored the winning goal at Euro 2008 and he has improved since, while David Villa keeps banging in goals for club and country. The form of midfield orchestrator Xavi will be key to Spain's chances of success.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Liverpool FC), Víctor Valdés (FC Barcelona)
Defenders: Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Raúl Albiol (Real Madrid)
Álvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Gerard Piqué (FC Barcelona), Carles Puyol (FC Barcelona), Carlos Marchena (Valencia CF), Joan Capdevila (Villarreal CF)
Midfielders: Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Sergi Busquets (FC Barcelona), Xavi Hernández (FC Barcelona), Andrés Iniesta (FC Barcelona), David Silva (Valencia CF), Cesc Fábregas (Arsenal), Javi Martínez (Athletic de Bilbao)
Strikers: David Villa (Valencia CF), Fernando Torres (Liverpool), Fernando Llorente (Athletic de Bilbao), Pedro Rodríguez (FC Barcelona), Juan Manuel Mata (Valencia CF), Jesús Navas (Sevilla FC)
