MADRID (AP) — Spain will look a bit different at this year’s World Cup.
Don’t expect to see veterans like Sergio Ramos, Gerard Piqué, Andrés Iniesta or David Silva in its squad.
Instead, look for youngsters like Pedri González, Gavi Páez and Nico Williams.
Spain is going really young to try to win soccer’s biggest prize and lift a major trophy for the first time since 2012.
Pedri is 19 and has already established himself with the national team. Gavi, 18, not long ago became the youngest player to debut and score with “La Roja” at 17, and just recently won the Kopa Trophy for best under-21 player, an award that Pedri won the previous season.
Williams turned 20 in July, and has quickly gained space after impressing in his first two matches in the lead up to the World Cup.
There are also 19-year-olds Yeremy Pino and Ansu Fati, though the latter didn’t make it to the squad recently because of his lack of playing with Barcelona.
Nearly half of the team’s squad in Qatar is set to be 25 or younger.
“The youngsters have incredible talent and can add a lot to the squad,” 30-year-old forward Pablo Sarabia told The Associated Press.
Spain coach Luis Enrique, going into his first World Cup in the position, has not been shy about calling up youngsters but will balance it out with the experience of players like Sergio Busquets, César Azpilicueta, Koke Resurrección, Dani Carvajal and Jordi Alba — all 30 or older.
“We have a group of youngsters and some veterans who we feel can face any rival,” Luis Enrique said.
Luis Enrique has apparently narrowed his list of forwards, with Álvaro Morata, Ferran Torres, Marco Asensio, Pablo Sarabia and Pino having their sports practically secured.
Making late pushes are Williams and Borja Iglesias, while losing out will likely be veteran Iago Aspas, the often-injured Gerard Moreno and Fati, who has not played often with Barcelona.
Raúl de Tomás is probably out as well because he will not get to play for new club Rayo Vallecano until January.