Why are Barcelona stars missing from Spain's 2023 Women's World Cup squad? Absences of Patri Guijarro, Mapi Leon and more explained
Stars from Barca, Atletico Madrid, Manchester City, Manchester Utd and more will not play for Spain at the World Cup. Why?
In the build-up to the 2023 Women's World Cup, no nation has had more uncertainty surrounding its squad than Spain. That's because in the weeks that followed the 2022 Women's Euros, 15 members of the team withdrew from selection, six of whom would be key to a Barcelona side that lifted the Women's Champions League trophy in June.
But when Spain head coach Jorge Vilda named his provisional squad for the World Cup just 11 days after that European final, a handful of those players had returned to the fold and made themselves available for their national team again. Alexia Putellas, the two-time Ballon d'Or winner, was also back after recovering from her ACL injury.
What has the dispute been about? Which players are back and who remains away from the international scene? How will this impact Spain's Women's World Cup campaign? GOAL has everything you need to know...
Read on goal.com
