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Spain’s friendly against Serbia is set to double as a trial for the World Cup, with Luis de la Fuente considering a senior debut for Joan Garcia while also assessing several other squad options. The match in Villarreal comes as Spain extend a long unbeaten run and refine plans for Group H at the 2024 tournament.

Spain are currently unbeaten in 31 competitive fixtures, matching the longest sequence by a previous World Cup-winning nation, a mark first set by Italy. De la Fuente has overseen 26 of those matches, collecting 20 wins and six draws, which gives Spain strong momentum as preparations intensify for June.

Garcia arrives in this camp after a standout first season at Barcelona, having joined from Espanyol in June. The goalkeeper has delivered 15 clean sheets across 36 games in all competitions, which has pushed Garcia into the frame despite Unai Simon remaining established as Spain’s current number one.

The 23-year-old has been capped through Spain’s youth levels up to under-21 and added an Olympic gold medal in 2024 with the under-23 squad. Garcia earned a first senior call-up last week, and De la Fuente is weighing up whether to start the Barcelona goalkeeper against Serbia to observe performance under full international pressure.

Advanced data further highlights Garcia’s impact in LaLiga this season. Garcia has produced the league’s best save rate at 78.7 per cent and outperformed expected goals on target metrics by 10.4 goals, conceding 15 times from 25.4 xGoT, excluding penalties and own goals, which underlines reliability when facing high-quality chances.

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Despite the experimental element against Serbia, De la Fuente insists competitive standards remain unchanged with the World Cup approaching. “We are going to see how the games develop, and we will see if we can give a chance to those who have not lived this international experience,” De la Fuente said. “But we won’t gift anything to anyone, because they have all earned the right to be here. We are already playing in the World Cup, and that is what we are thinking about. We are going to approach these as official matches.”

The head coach views this international window as part of direct World Cup preparation rather than simple warm-up games. De la Fuente stressed that selection for the tournament in 2024 will depend on form and contribution, with every minute against Serbia helping shape decisions for the final travelling group.

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Spain vs Serbia: World Cup squad changes and Group H outlook

De la Fuente expects the squad used against Serbia to differ from the group eventually named for the World Cup. Spain will compete in Group H alongside Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay, and the staff are monitoring a wider pool of players who could still force a late inclusion before the opener on 15 June.

The coach admitted personal anticipation is growing as the tournament draws closer. “There is a restlessness for sure, because I am also like this. I’m more excited than I was, because the focus is already on the World Cup. If I don’t feel it, I can’t transmit it. I’m excited, with a fantastic desire to get closer to the World Cup. I’m sure that at the World Cup there will be players who are not here today. They have to do a lot to be here.”

Spain’s meeting with Serbia therefore carries value beyond the immediate result, offering De la Fuente additional evidence on Garcia and others while reinforcing a competitive mindset. With a long unbeaten sequence, clear statistical data on key performers and a defined Group H schedule, Spain continue building towards 15 June with structured, match-based preparation.

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