Spain summons a strong side for its first SheBelieves Cup appearance after a solid 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Manager Jorge Vilda announced his official Spain 23-player roster for the SheBelieves Cup following England’s Phil Neville. Japan and the USWNT are expected to release their schedules at some point this week.

The roster features a healthy mix of veterans and young players. Eighteen players who played at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup will make a return and represent Spain at a tournament once again. 

Spain SheBelieves Cup roster:

SheBelieves Cup: Jennifer Hermoso and Nahikari Garcia star in Spain’s 23-player official roster

Goalkeepers (3): Lola Gallardo (Atletico de Madrid, 30 caps), Sandra Paños (Barcelona, 5 caps), Mariasun “Sun” Quiñones (Real Sociedad, 7)

Defenders (8): Ivana Andrés (Valencia, 2 caps), Ona Battler (Levante, 3 caps), Marta Corredera (Levante, 28 caps), “Mapi” León (Barcelona, 32 caps), Leila Ouahabi (Barcelona, caps 8), Irene Paredes (Paris Saint-Germain, 37 caps), Andrea Pereira (Barcelona, 4 caps), Ainhoa Vicente (Athletic Club Bilbao, 0 caps)

Midfielders (6): Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona, 6 caps), Patri Guijarro (Barcelona, 8 caps), Alexia Putellas (Barcelona, 50 caps), Amanda Sanpedro (Atletico de Madrid, 51 caps), Ángela Sosa (Atletico de Madrid, 3 caps), Virginia Torrecilla (Atletico de Madrid, 65 caps)

Forwards (6): Mariona Caldentey (Barcelona, 54 caps), Marta Cardona (Real Sociedad, 2 caps), Lucia García (Athletic Club Bilbao, 18 caps), Nahikari García (Athletic Club Bilbao, 14 caps), Sheila García (Rayo Vallecano, 1 cap), Jennifer Hermoso (Barcelona, 73 caps)

Primera Iberdrola effect on the national team

Twenty-two out of the 23 players selected by Vilda ahead of the SheBelieves Cup play in the Spanish Primera Division, also known as Primera Iberdrola. The league’s competition has risen over the years and attracted players from all over the world. In doing so, the league has also been able to keep the nations players from going abroad.

  • Barcelona – 9
  • Atletico Madrid – 4
  • Athletic Club Bilbao – 3
  • Real Sociedad – 2
  • Levante – 2
  • Rayo Vallecano – 1
  • Valencia – 1
  • PSG – 1

It is no surprise to see more Barcelona players on this list than any other team given the club’s success as of late. The Blaugrana is currently first in the Primera Division Femenina with a nine-point cushion over Atletico Madrid and just claimed the first edition of the Supercopa Femenina with a 10-1 win over Real Sociedad.

Key players from Barcelona are Jenni Hermoso, who leads the league in goals alongside Nigerian Asisat Oshoala with 20, and Alexia Putellas, who leads in assists with eight and center back Mapi Leon.

Other players to keep an eye out for are forwards Nahikari Garcia and Lucia Garcia and midfielder Irene Paredes, who is the only player that competes abroad in the Division 1 Feminine for PSG.