Spanish press reports have revealed an important development in the regulations of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) by allowing teams to include four goalkeepers in the World Cup tournament, which represents positive news for Barcelona's goalkeeper Juan Garcia, according to the Spanish newspaper 'Mundo Deportivo'.

Luis de la Fuente, the head coach of the Spanish national team, surprised everyone by calling up four goalkeepers during the current international break in preparation for the friendly matches against Serbia and Egypt. He included Unai Simon, David Raya, Alex Remiro, and Juan Garcia in the squad. Although this decision seemed unusual, it aligns with FIFA's World Cup regulations.

According to the Spanish newspaper, FIFA regulations require teams to include at least four goalkeepers in the preliminary squad, which must consist of 35 to 55 players and be submitted by the specified deadline along with official data for each player.

The rules also state that the final squad, ranging between 26 and 28 players, must include at least three goalkeepers, without setting a maximum limit on their number, opening the door for the possibility of including four goalkeepers in the final squad.

This means that the Spanish national team coach can retain four goalkeepers in the World Cup, but this decision will come at the expense of reducing the number of outfield players, a technical option left to the discretion of the coaching staff led by de la Fuente.

This amendment in the regulations provides an additional opportunity for Juan Garcia to strengthen his chances of being included in La Roja's squad for the upcoming World Cup, given the flexibility the new rules offer coaches in selecting the number of goalkeepers.