CURRENT WORLD CHAMPIONS Spain announced their provisional 30-man squad for the World Cup finals in Brazil this afternoon.
La Roja, who face the Netherlands, Chile and Australia in Group B, possess a ridiculous array of talent throughout the squad with English-based players David de Gea, David Silva, Santi Cazorla, Juan Mata, Alvaro Negredo and Jesus Navas all included in the extended panel.
Brazilian-born Diego Costa is in line to make his competitive debut in the country of his birth after being included alongside Atletico Madrid team-mates Juanfran, Koke and David Villa.
Manager Vicente del Bosque will announce his final squad of 23 players to defend the trophy they won for the first time four years ago on May 25, a day after Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have disputed the Champions League final in Lisbon.
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Napoli/ITA), David de Gea (Manchester United/ENG)
Defenders: Dani Carvajal, Sergio Ramos (both Real Madrid), Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba (both Barcelona), Cesar Azplicueta (Chelsea/ENG), Juanfran (Atletico Madrid), Javi Martinez (Bayern Munich/GER), Raul Albiol (Napoli/ITA), Alberto Moreno (Sevilla)
Midfielders: Sergio Busquets, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas (all Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Ander Iturraspe (Athletic Bilbao), David Silva (Manchester City/ENG), Santi Cazorla (Arsenal/ENG), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Tiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich/GER), Juan Mata (Manchester United/ENG)
Forwards: Diego Costa, David Villa (both Atletico Madrid), Alvaro Negredo, Jesus Navas (both Manchester City), Pedro Rodriguez (Barcelona), Fernando Llorente (Juventus/ITA), Fernando Torres (Chelsea/ENG)
Additional reporting by AFP
