Barcelona Star Joan Garcia At Risk Of Being Left Out Of Spain’s World Cup Team

When Joan Garcia made the switch from Espanyol to FC Barcelona in the summer of 2025, it felt like the moment his long-awaited senior Spain call-up finally arrived. The 24-year-old had been one of La Liga’s most consistent shot-stoppers, leading the division in saves and proving himself a decisive presence between the posts. 

Fast forward to now, and Garcia remains without a senior cap for La Roja. His extraordinary form for Barcelona, including a recent string of clean sheets and a man-of-the-match outing against Villarreal, has thrust him into the spotlight. Yet head coach Luis de la Fuente has stuck rigidly to a familiar trio: Unai Simón, David Raya, and Álex Remiro. 

As Spain prepares for the 2026 World Cup in North America next summer, Garcia’s international fate hangs in the balance. This is a story of merit versus trust, potential versus pedigree, and the enduring influence of continuity in elite football.

The Established Goalkeeper Trio Spain Trusts

Luis de la Fuente’s preference for continuity in goal is hardly surprising. For the last several international windows, Spain has relied on three very experienced and accomplished goalkeepers. Unai Simón of Athletic Bilbao continues to be the nominal No.1, boasting a lengthy international résumé and a European Championship title to his name. 

David Raya has cemented his reputation with consistent performances for Arsenal in the Premier League, and Álex Remiro has been a reliable force for Real Sociedad, admired for his leadership and composure under pressure. De la Fuente’s public comments consistently reinforce this hierarchy. 

When asked about Garcia’s omission, he made it clear that selection is not dictated by the club badge a player wears. He stressed that his established trio have earned their spots through years of service and trust. “We have five or six of the best goalkeepers in the world,” the coach said, before reiterating his satisfaction with Simón, Raya, and Remiro as the core group. That message is telling: despite Garcia’s promise, the manager isn’t looking to overhaul his goalkeeping setup just weeks before major tournament preparations ramp up.

Why Garcia’s Barca Performances Aren’t Enough

In Barcelona, Joan Garcia has firmly rooted himself as a key player in Hansi Flick’s system. His commanding presence in the box, quick reflexes, and ability to play out from the back have drawn plaudits from fans and pundits alike. 

His move from Espanyol was a statement of intent, and his performances suggest he belongs at the top level. However, club form doesn’t always translate into instant international inclusion. There are several reasons why Garcia’s fine displays haven’t yet translated into consistent call-ups:

Experience factor: De la Fuente clearly values the calming influence of experience in major tournaments. Simón and Remiro have played in high-pressure international knockout games, and Raya has proven his worth in the Premier League. For a coach planning for the World Cup, that pedigree matters.

Hierarchy stability: Changing the goalkeeper setup can have ripple effects through the squad’s dynamics. Coaches know this implicitly. De la Fuente has repeatedly emphasised that he wants a settled group in every position, especially one as psychologically critical as goalkeeper.

Timing: The last international fixtures concluded without Garcia receiving a call-up. The coach acknowledged that Garcia’s opportunity will come — but hinted it might take until later in the season to make that decision.

 “We’ll see what happens between now and March, or between now and June,” he said, underscoring that nothing is set in stone yet. The key takeaway is that while Garcia’s form is undeniable, the timing of his rise and the weight of established trust are holding him back for now.

What Supporters And Critics Are Saying

Reaction to Garcia’s omission has been polarized. Some pundits and fans argue that Spain may be denying itself a world-class goalkeeper who could elevate the team’s chances. A respected La Liga icon recently publicly declared that Garcia has “the talent to be Spain’s No. 1,” highlighting the broader belief in his unrealised international potential. 

Conversely, voices closer to the national setup have voiced caution. Simón himself defended the current selection, pointing out that Raya and Remiro have earned their spots and that upending the established group could be disruptive. 

In his view, the existing trio offer guarantees on and off the pitch that Garcia has yet to demonstrate at the international level. This debate highlights a deeper philosophical divide in football selection: choosing the best player in isolation, or selecting the player who fits the team’s structure and coaching comfort zone.

Can Garcia Break Through Before The World Cup?

Despite the current setback, there is genuine reason to believe Joan Garcia’s international breakthrough could still happen. De la Fuente has not shut the door; in fact, he has actively stressed that the goalkeeper remains in contention and fits Spain’s approach. 

The coach highlighted their shared history — Garcia played in his under-21 squads — and reiterated that performance and readiness will guide future selections. The calendar ahead is critical. Between now and June 2026, Spain will play a series of qualifiers, friendlies, and warm-up fixtures.

If Garcia continues to deliver elite performances for Barcelona, especially in high-stakes Champions League matches, the pressure on De la Fuente to give him a chance will grow louder.

In some ways, Garcia’s situation mirrors that of other elite keepers who had to wait before making their national team mark. Goalkeepers often peak later than outfield players, and Spain has traditionally taken a cautious approach with such transitions.

Injury variables could also play a role. Should anything happen to Simón, Raya, or Remiro in the months ahead, Garcia would suddenly find himself in a prime position to step into the squad. Until then, timing and tactical trust appear to outweigh current form in De la Fuente’s calculation.

Final Verdict

Joan Garcia’s omission from Spain’s squad heading into the World Cup is not a definitive rejection of his talent, far from it. What it reveals is the complex calculus coaches must make when blending emerging talent with stability and experience. 

Garcia’s performances for Barcelona are world-class, but for now, they sit on the periphery of Spain’s well-established goalkeeping pecking order. With the World Cup less than a year away, Luis de la Fuente is placing his faith in a trio he knows, trusts, and believes can deliver on the game’s biggest stage.