Lamine Yamal ‘to miss’ Spain’s World Cup opener, second game in doubt | OneFootball

According to The Athletic, Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal has a left thigh injury and is expected to miss Spain’s World Cup opener against Cape Verde on 15 June. He is also highly doubtful for the second game with Saudi Arabia on 21 June.

Spain may therefore begin the tournament without one of their leading threats. Yamal suffered the problem after Barcelona’s 1-0 win at Celta Vigo on 22 April.

He could return for Spain’s final Group H match against Uruguay on 27 June.

The 18-year-old has 25 caps and six goals for Spain. For Barcelona this season he has 24 goals and 18 assists in 45 matches across all competitions, and he has just won the Spanish title for the third time.

He is expected to be one of the stars of the 2026 World Cup as Spain, among the favourites, chase a second global title after 2010.

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente will name his final squad on 25 May. Midfielder Fermín Lopez has been ruled out, confirmed on Monday, and there are fitness doubts over Nico Williams with a hamstring issue, though he should be ready for the start of the tournament.

Source: L'Équipe