Spain coach Luis de la Fuente announced his Nations League squad from Ceuta on Friday in a show of support for the Spanish city in northern Africa that has become the center of a migration crisis.
For his first squad announcement since Spain won the World Cup , De la Fuente revealed his list in a video featuring him in Ceuta accompanied by residents of the Spanish exclave.
In late July, over 70,000 people pushed across the border from Morocco, with more than 100 dying in the chaos.
Most quickly returned, but a few thousand remain in the city of just over 80,000.
De la Fuente did not directly mention the border crossing or its impact, but he did say: “This is Ceuta, this is Spain.”
It echoed the rise in sentiment in Spain that Ceuta – a territory that until the mass crossing was mostly an afterthought for most mainland Spaniards – needs to be supported.
Spain open the Nations League against England at Wembley Stadium on 26 September, when its players will wear two stars on their shirts for the first time after winning a second world title.
After visiting London, Spain will host Croatia on 29 September and the Czech Republic on 3 October, before visiting Croatia three says later.
Del la Fuente kept his World Cup squad mostly intact. Inter Milan goalkeeper Josep Martínez replaced Barcelona’s Joan García, who is out with a minor knee issue.
Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen is in for Marcos Llorente, who retired from international soccer.
Fermín López replaced fellow Barcelona midfielder Gavi, while Espanyol striker Roberto Fernández got his first call-up, replacing Borja Iglesias.
Ceuta is one of two Spanish territories on the north African coast along with Melilla. Ceuta has been in Spanish possession since 1580.
Christians and Muslims, Spanish and Moroccan residents and day workers all live there in relative harmony behind a border fence that many migrants from across Africa attempt to cross or swim around for a better life in Europe.
(AP)
