Lamine Yamal could be fit for Spain’s World Cup opener, according to head coach Luis de la Fuente.
The Barcelona star’s status for the tournament has been in doubt since he suffered a season-ending hamstring injury in late April.
At the time it wasn’t clear if the 18-year-old would be fit to play any part in the World Cup, but his recovery appears to be going smoothly. Yamal was called into Spain’s World Cup roster, though reports indicated he could miss at least the team’s first group-stage match and perhaps more.
Spain kicks off the World Cup on June 15 against Cape Verde. At a press conference on Wednesday, June 3, De la Fuente indicated that the winger could be able to play a part.
“If nothing changes, he could be ready to play on June 15,” De la Fuente said. “It doesn’t mean that for sure he will play, we’ll see. Maybe a few minutes, maybe just practice so he can improve his condition for the second match. We will have to evaluate.”
La Roja will close out group play with matches against Saudi Arabia on June 21 and Uruguay on June 26.
De la Fuente also said that injured winger Nico Williams was “progressing as expected” — though neither he nor Yamal will play in Spain’s friendly against Iraq on Thursday, June 4. Spain will close out World Cup preparations with a friendly against Peru in Mexico on Monday, June 8.
Spain will be among the favorites to win the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada, with Yamal expected to play a leading role if healthy.
Despite his age, Yamal is considered one of the best players in the world and finished second in the 2025 Ballon d’Or voting.
The teenager helped lead Spain to the title at Euro 2024, a tournament during which he turned 17.
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