Could Fermín López finally get the international opportunity he missed at the 2026 World Cup after returning to Spain’s squad?
The Barcelona midfielder has been rewarded for his impressive start to the new season with a recall to the Spain national team, several months after a foot injury ended his hopes of featuring at the World Cup.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente named López in his 26-man squad on Friday for the opening fixtures of the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League. Spain will face England at Wembley on September 26 before hosting Croatia in Seville three days later.
López was forced to watch Spain’s World Cup campaign from home after suffering a fracture to the fifth metatarsal in his right foot during Barcelona’s victory over Real Betis in May.
Barcelona confirmed that the 23-year-old underwent successful surgery on the injury, with his recovery determining when he would return to action.
However, the setback has not derailed his progress at club level.
López has quickly re-established himself as an important member of Hansi Flick’s Barcelona squad and has already made an impact in the opening weeks of the 2026/27 campaign.
He scored in Barcelona’s 5-0 victory over Valencia on September 6, joining Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Pedri on the scoresheet as Barça maintained their perfect start to the La Liga season.
The midfielder was also included in Barcelona’s squad for their opening Champions League fixture against Feyenoord and subsequently remained part of Flick’s squad for the trip to Levante.
His importance to Barcelona was further underlined before the season when the club handed him the prestigious No. 7 shirt for the 2026/27 campaign.
The number had previously been worn by several prominent Barcelona forwards, but López now occupies the shirt as an established first-team player.
Barcelona’s faith in the midfielder is also reflected in his long-term contract, with López tied to the Catalan club until 2031.
His current form has even prompted reports suggesting his market value could be at least €150 million, although that figure is a reported valuation rather than an official Barcelona asking price.
For López, however, the Spain recall carries a different significance.
He was part of Spain’s Euro 2024-winning squad and also starred at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he finished as the men’s football tournament’s top scorer with six goals as Spain won gold.
Now, after missing the biggest international tournament of his career through injury, he has another chance to establish himself in a Spain side that enters the new Nations League campaign as reigning world champions.
The first opportunity comes against England at Wembley on September 26, before Croatia visit Seville three days later.
For Fermín, it is a chance to turn the disappointment of missing the World Cup into the beginning of another important chapter with La Roja.
