Vice captain Fede Valverde missed the final game of 2025 with a small injury. He is back in the starting lineup for the Real Betis game, and starts at right-back with an injury to Trent Alexander-Arnold. Dani Carvajal is in the squad but likely won't start. Álvaro Carreras is also back after he served a two-game suspension.

A tournament which is often criticised for off-pitch reasons has become a barometer by which to measure Spain's big two at midseason