Spain coach Vicente del Bosque on Monday unveiled a preliminary list of 26 players for this summer's Confederations Cup which will be played in Brazil.

The Confederations Cup is traditionally held one year before the World Cup in the country that will host that competition and involves the World Cup hosts, the World Cup holders (Spain) and the continental Champions, although given that Spain are also reigning European Champions, Italy will compete in that role after finishing runners up in 2012.

The remaining countries taking part are Uruguay, Mexico, Japan, Nigeria and Tahiti, with the Spanish drawn in a group with Uruguay, Nigeria and Tahiti, who are very much the underdogs in the tournament.

Del Bosque's 26-man squad includes few surprises, although Sevilla striker, Alvaro Negredo will be disappointed to miss out after forming part of the 2012 European Championship winning squad and scoring 21 goals in the BBVA Primera Liga this season. Instead, Valencia's Roberto Soldado, who has netted 22 times in the league is given the nod, along with Fernando Torres, who was vital for Chelsea as his club was proclaimed Europa League champions 10 days earlier.

There is also a place for Bayern Munich's former Athletic Club Bilbao midfielder, Javi Martinez, who formed part of the side which was proclaimed European Champions on Saturday night after a 2-1 win over Borussia Dortmund.

Meanwhile Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas is, as expected, included in the squad, despite not having played for his club since the end of January.

Spain will prepare for the competition with friendlies against Haiti on June 8 and against the Republic of Ireland on June 11, before flying to Brazil and Del Bosque will have to shed three players from this preliminary group of 26 before settling on a final squad of 23.

Full squad

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Liverpool), Victor Valdes (Barcelona)

Defenders: Nacho Monreal (Arsenal), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Raul Albiol (Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea) Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid)

Midfielders: Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Santi Cazorla (Arsenal), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona), Javi Martinez (Bayern Munich), Javi Garcia (Manchester City), Benat(Betis)

Strikers: Juan Mata (Chelsea), David Silva (Manchester City), Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Pedro (Barcelona), Jesus Navas (Sevilla), David Villa (Barcelona), Fernando Torres (Chelsea), Roberto Soldado (Valencia)

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