Spain Women's World Cup squad: Confirmed La Roja team for 2023 FIFA tournament

28-07-2023
5 min read
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Spain head to the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in the midst of a tense situation with the Spanish FA (RFEF).

La Roja qualified for the tournament by winning all eight of their group matches, including victories over both Ukraine and Scotland in Group B.

Some of the Spanish players are currently boycotting the national team due to under investment and federation mismanagement as they demand for changes and improvement in the relationship between the RFEF and the women's national team.

However, they were able to put aside the issues and win their opening two games, qualifying them for the knockout rounds.

MORE: Why are Spain players boycotting 2023 Women's World Cup?

Spain's 2023 Women's Cup squad

Vilda has confirmed his 23-player squad on June 30 for the 2023 FIFA World Cup.

Position Player Int. Caps Club
GK Maria Rodriguez 12 Real Madrid
GK Enith Salon 2 Valencia
GK Cata Coll 0 Barcelona
DEF Irene Paredes 90 Barcelona
DEF Ivana Andres 46 Real Madrid
DEF Ona Batlle 28 Man United
DEF Olga Carmona 22 Real Madrid
DEF Rocio Galvez 8 Real Madrid
DEF Oihane Hernandez 7 Athletic Bilbao
DEF Laia Codina 3 Barcelona
MID Alexia Putellas 100 Barcelona
MID Aitana Bonmati 46 Barcelona
MID Irene Guerrero 22 Atletico Madrid
MID Teresa Abelleira 14 Real Madrid
MID Claudia Zornoza 10 Real Madrid
MID Maria Perez 2 Barcelona
FWD Jenni Hermoso 87 Pachuca
FWD Mariona Caldentey 54 Barcelona
FWD Esther Gonzalez 35 Real Madrid
FWD Alba Redondo 26 Levante
FWD Athenea del Castillo 25 Real Madrid
FWD Eva Navarro 8 Atletico Madrid
FWD Salma Paralluelo 6 Barcelona

La Roja Stars, strengths and weaknesses

Spain have played 10 international friendly matches since their last qualifying games, winning eight of those fixtures. Their only defeat in that time came against co-hosts Australia while their most match was a 7-0 win over Panama.

In those 10 games La Roja managed to score 30 goals as they also put seven past Argentina in November 2022. They have been solid defensively, keeping seven clean sheets in those international affairs.

Stars

In midfield, Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas and Barcelona team-mate Aitana Bonmati will cause trouble for opponents as they are comfortable on the ball and contribute often to goals.

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Esther Gonzalez scored nine goals in six qualifying matches for Spain and also bagged 16 times for Real Madrid in the league this season.

Skipper Irene Paredes will be the glue that holds the defence together as she is set to play in her third World Cup for Spain and sixth major tournament overall for her country.

Weaknesses

The main weakness for Spain will of course be their problems off the pitch. The players have done well to focus on their football in the games leading up to the tournament, but boycotts could peak in July and August due to the coverage of the competition.

MORE: Which teams have qualified for the Women's World Cup?

La Roja projected starting lineup at Women's World Cup

With this in mind, this is one way that Spain could line up at the Women's World Cup.

Possible Spain starting side (4-2-3-1): Rodriguez (GK) — Batlle, Paredes, Andres, Carmona — Bonmati, Putellas — Redondo, Hermoso, Del Castillo - Gonzales

Can Spain replace players on World Cup roster? 

According to the official rules of the World Cup, players on the final squad can only be replaced in the event of a serious illness or injury up to 24 hours before the start of their teams first match.

The injury or illness needs to be assessed and judged by FIFA to be serious enough to prevent the player from taking part in the World Cup.