Spain unveiled its provisional roster for the upcoming Women's World Cup, featuring the return of two-time Ballon d'Or recipient Alexia Putellas and three of the 15 players who had previously distanced themselves from the national team due to a dispute with coach Jorge Vilda.
Putellas, alongside Ona Batlle, Aitana Bonmatí, and Mariona Caldentey, are back in the fold after being part of the group that declared their unavailability for Spain in September due to disagreements with Vilda's leadership.
Vilda expressed his satisfaction with the players' renewed commitment, stating, "Their presence signifies their dedication to the national team. This expands our pool of committed players available for the World Cup." He announced a 30-player squad, which will commence World Cup preparations next week for the tournament taking place in Australia and New Zealand from July 20th to August 20th.
While not delving into the specifics of the players' return, Vilda highlighted the team's positive trajectory since September, noting their impressive record of nine wins, one draw, and one loss in eleven matches, including a historic victory against the United States. He expressed confidence in the team's unity and focus on achieving a strong World Cup performance.
Putellas's inclusion comes after her recovery from a nine-month ACL injury that sidelined her during the European Championship last year, where Spain was eliminated in the quarterfinals. Vilda emphasized Putellas's importance, not just for her on-field contributions, but also for her leadership and experience.
Spain's World Cup campaign begins on July 21st against Costa Rica, with Zambia and Japan completing their group.
