Spain coach Julen Lopetegui has announced his 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, but snubbed as many as 12 of the country’s biggest stars, including players from Chelsea, Manchester United and FC Barcelona.

Click through the gallery above to see 12 players who were snubbed for Spain’s World Cup squad.

Lopetegui, who is still unbeaten since taking over from Vicente del Bosque after the 2016 UEFA European Championships, has an abundance of talent at his disposal.

Yet he opted to cut his squad down to 23 names instead of announcing a provisional selection initially. He would have had until 4 June to make his final nomination but left many big names out of his World Cup squad, which was announced on Monday.

"This is the squad which we believe will help us the most in the World Cup," Lopetegui said, as quoted by Marca.

"I want to make clear my appreciation for the players who've been important in qualification, but haven't been chosen today, it's so bitter for them, they deserve to be here but aren't."

One of Lopetegui's biggest omissions was Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata. The 25-year-old scored six goals in Spain's World Cup qualification campaign, but struggled for game time with the Blues towards the end of the season.

His fellow teammates Marcos Alonso, Cesc Fabregas and Pedro Rodriguez were left out as well, while FC Barcelona's Sergi Roberto and Arsenal's Hector Bellerin can also feel hard done by as they, too, will watch the tournament from home.

Read: Spain Announce 23-man World Cup Squad

Manchester United duo Juan Mata and Ander Herrera add to Lopetegui's omission of Premier League-based players.

Click through the gallery above to see 12 stars who were snubbed for Spain's Russia 2018 squad, and let us know in the comments section below which players you would have selected in your Spain squad!