MADRID, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) — The 26 members of Spain’s squad for the World Cup arrived at the headquarters of the Spanish Football Federation at Las Rozas on the outskirts of Madrid on Monday.
The squad will fly to Amman on Tuesday and play a friendly against Jordan on November 17.
They are expected to arrive in Doha, where they will have their training camp to prepare for their Group E opening game against Costa Rica on November 23.
Spain will then face Germany and Japan in remaining group games.
“We have a young squad and we really want to do things well and to win, and you will see that on the pitch,” said FC Barcelona midfielder Pedri, who was the first player to arrive at Las Rozas.
Pedri admitted that an intense first three months of the season meant that “your legs notice that,” but added “we have a lot of people who look after our health to ensure we are at our best.”
Coach Luis Enrique produced a few surprises in the squad that he named on Friday, deciding to take a risk on Barcelona forward Ansu Fati despite his injury problems over the past two seasons. He also included Athletic Club Bilbao winger Nico Williams in the squad after two impressive substitute appearances in September.
The squad is a balance between experienced players such as Sergio Busquets, Cesar Azpilicueta and Dani Carvajal and youngsters including Pedri, Gavi, Williams, Eric Garcia and Yeremy Pino.
“I am sure he (Enrique) is the best coach for Spain and he wants us all to play better together,” commented Pedri.