Spain Coach Confident Lamine Yamal Will Be Fit for World Cup 2026 Opener

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente says he expects 18-year-old Lamine Yamal to be available for the team's World Cup opener against Cape Verde in Atlanta on June 15, despite the Barcelona star missing the final weeks of the club season with a hamstring injury. Yamal will not feature in Spain's warm-up match against Iraq on Thursday, but De la Fuente gave a positive update: 'If nothing changes, he could be ready to play on June 15. We will have to evaluate.' Nico Williams and Víctor Muñoz are also being managed back to fitness. Spain are one of the tournament favourites, having won Euro 2024. Yamal has been one of the brightest talents in world football and his availability will be crucial as La Roja target a first World Cup title since 2010.