Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has called up Atletico Madrid’s Brazil-born forward Diego Costa for the world and European champions’ friendly against Italy on Wednesday and omitted Fernando Torres and Juan Mata.

Del Bosque emphasised that there was still time for players who were not selected, including the likes of Torres, Mata, David Villa and Fernando Llorente, to make the squad for the World Cup finals in Brazil starting in June.

The 32 nations taking part must send a preliminary list of 30 players to FIFA by May 13 and a definitive 23-man squad, with three goalkeepers, no later than June 2.

“This is a list only and exclusively for the match against Italy on Wednesday and does not commit us to anything,” Del Bosque told reporters yesterday.

The Iberian nation were European champions in 2008 and 2012 and won their maiden World Cup in 2010 and will attempt to become only the third nation to defend their world title after Italy in 1938 and Brazil in 1962.

Del Bosque included Costa in his squad for two friendlies in November but he had to withdraw due to injury and the Italy match could mark his first appearance for his adopted country.

The 25-year-old has scored 21 goals in La Liga this season, second only to Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo on 22, and has struck five times in the Champions League to help Atletico to the brink of the quarter-finals.

Del Bosque’s latest squad has a distinctly Brazilian flavour, with Bayern Munich playmaker Thiago Alcantara, the Italy-born son of former Brazil midfielder Mazinho, returning after injury.

Chelsea right-back Cesar Azpilicueta was also included, with Real Madrid’s Alvaro Arbeloa missing out.

Torres and Mata have been regulars for Spain over the past few years but neither has played a major role at Chelsea under coach Jose Mourinho this season.

Mata’s chances of going to the World Cup may improve after he left Chelsea last month to join their rivals Manchester United.

Spain squad

Goalkeepers: Casillas (Real Madrid), Reina (Napoli), Valdes (Barcelona).

Defenders: Juanfran (Atletico Madrid), Albiol (Napoli), Ramos (Real Madrid), Martinez (Bayern Munich), Alba (Barcelona), Azpi-licueta (Chelsea).

Midfielders: Xavi (Barcelona), Busquets (Barcelona), Alonso (Real Madrid), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Iniesta (Barcelona), Cazorla (Arsenal), Fabregas (Barcelona), Alcantara (Bayern Munich), Silva (Man. City)

Forwards: Negredo (Man. City), Navas (Man. City), Pedro (Barcelona), Costa (Atletico Madrid).

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