Martínez, Thiago Named to Provisional Spanish World Cup Squad

In the passed two years, Bayern Munich have acquired two Spanish players, and now both have a chance to play a part in Spain's World Cup title defense in Brazil.

Vicente del Bosque has named Thiago Alcântara and Javi Martínez to the 30-man provisional World Cup Squad. The two could going to battle with previous Champions League foes, including Xabi Alonso, Iker Casillas, Santi Cazorla, David de Gea, Jesús Navas, Álvaro Negredo, Sergio Ramos, and David Silva.

Neither Thiago nor Martínez played in World Cup qualifying for Spain, although both had ankle and groin injuries respectively during the final stages. Thiago is still recovering from a knee injury, but he was on Bayern's team sheet during their Bundesliga finale against VfB Stuttgart.

The two played in Spain's most recent friendly against Italy, putting in 90 minute shifts. Both wore the Spanish colors over the summer, Thiago assisting the U-21 team in a UEFA U-21 European Championship and Martínez playing minor roles in the Confederations Cup.

Martínez was grouped with the defenders after playing the position more in 2013/14 under Pep Guardiola than he had at any point in his career. The two holding midfielders listed are Barcelona's Sergio Busquets and Athletic Bilbao's Ander Iturraspe.

Del Bosque will announce his final 23-man squad on May 25, a day after the Champions League final between Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid.

Full Squad

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Napoli), David de Gea (Manchester United)

Defenders: Jordi Alba (Barcelona), César Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Raúl Albiol (Napoli), Daniel Carvajal (Real Madrid), Javi Martínez (Bayern Munich), Alberto Moreno (Sevilla), Gerard Piqué (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Juanfran Torres (Atlético Madrid)

Midfielders: Thiago Alcântara (Bayern Munich), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Santi Cazorla (Arsenal), Cesc Fábregas (Barcelona), Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona), Andrés Iniesta (Barcelona), Ander Iturraspe (Athletic Bilbao), Juan Mata (Manchester United), Jesús Navas (Manchester City), Koke Resurreción (Atlético Madrid), Pedro Rodriguez (Barcelona), David Silva (Manchester City)

Forwards: Diego Costa (Atlético Madrid), Fernando Llorente (Juventus), Álvaro Negredo (Manchester City), Fernando Torres (Chelsea), David Villa (Atlético Madrid)