Spain Coach De La Fuente Announces Nations League Squad From Ceuta Amid Migration Crisis

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente announced his Nations League squad from Ceuta on Friday, using the North African Spanish territory as the backdrop for his first squad announcement since Spain won the World Cup.

In a video filmed in Ceuta alongside local residents, De la Fuente said: “This is Ceuta, this is Spain.” He did not directly refer to the migration crisis, but his appearance came at a politically sensitive time for the city.

In late July, more than 70,000 people crossed into Ceuta from Morocco, with more than 100 people dying amid the chaos. Most of those who entered were subsequently returned, while several thousand remained in the city, which has a population of just over 80,000.

The mass border crossing has become a major political issue in Spain. Conservative and far-right opposition parties have criticised the government's migration policies, while local authorities have sought greater European support and stronger border security.

The issue has also entered Spanish football. A business group recently asked Real Madrid and Elche players to wear T-shirts reading “We are all from Ceuta”. Real Madrid players Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior and Ibrahima Konaté rolled up the shirts during the match. Mbappé later said he wanted to show solidarity with victims, migrants who had died and people facing difficult conditions.

Meanwhile, Spain begins its Nations League campaign against England at Wembley on September 26. The team will then face Croatia and the Czech Republic before another match against Croatia.

De la Fuente largely retained his World Cup-winning squad. Josep Martínez, Dean Huijsen, Fermín López and first-time call-up Roberto Fernández are among the changes.

Spain will also wear two stars on its shirts for the first time following its second World Cup triumph.