Marc Roca and Álvaro Valles Receive First Call-Ups to Spain National Team

Spain national team head coach Luis de la Fuente announced his squad for the final fixtures of the UEFA Nations League group stage, featuring notable inclusions from Real Betis. Midfielder Marc Roca and goalkeeper Álvaro Valles earned their maiden call-ups to the senior squad, highlighting the strong form displayed by the Andalusian club this season.

The squad announcement, delivered on Friday in an austere and somber presentation, was heavily overshadowed by national mourning. De la Fuente addressed the tragic train accident in Urda and the sudden death of Tenerife forward Jesús de Miguel, stating that the team stands in solidarity with those affected and intends to honor their memory on the pitch.

Spain enters the upcoming international window already qualified for the quarterfinals of the competition after dominating Group C with a flawless record of 12 points from four matches. La Roja will travel to face Czechia in Prague on Thursday before hosting England at the Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid on Sunday.

De la Fuente addressed the media regarding the roster selections, specifically noting the inclusion of the Real Betis midfielder. "I am pleased to welcome Marc Roca, whose club is performing at a very high level," the manager said. "He has been a European Under-21 champion and we are very eager to reunite. He fits perfectly into our footballing philosophy. I believe it is very good news, although the unfortunate part is that he has to come in due to a teammate's injury."

Roca's selection serves as a reward for his tactical intelligence and physical output in the center of the pitch under manager Manuel Pellegrini. Having previously won an Under-21 European Championship with Spain, the Catalan midfielder provides a complete profile with extensive continental experience and an ability to control the tempo of high-stakes matches.

Alongside Roca, teammate Álvaro Valles also received his first senior call-up. De la Fuente explained that Valles was brought in due to a combination of his stellar performances in both La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, as well as personal obligations for David Raya that necessitated a four-goalkeeper roster.

The new squad list also features Jacobo Ramón, a central defender currently starring for Como, who enters the senior setup for the first time amidst defensive injuries. Meanwhile, established players such as Rodri, Dani Olmo, and Eric García remain sidelined due to injuries, creating tactical vacancies that paved the way for fresh faces like Roca to step onto the international stage.