PREVIEW: Yamal still not ready to start when Spain face Saudi Arabia | OneFootball

Spain face Saudi Arabia at the Mercedes Benz Stadium tomorrow evening as they search for their first win in Group H at the 2026 World Cup.

Luis de la Fuente’s men were held to a goalless with World Cup debutants Cape Verde in their opening match of the competition, with goalkeeper Vozinha making seven brilliant saves to keep out the European champions.

All four teams in Group H are on one point each after Saudi Arabia and Uruguay also drew their opening match, making a victory for both sides crucial at this stage.

La Roja know that a win against Saudi Arabia followed by avoiding defeat against Uruguay would secure a spot in the round of 32 as group winners or runners-up.

Spain last lifted the World Cup in 2010, enduring disappointing campaigns since then.

A group stage exit in Brazil 12 years ago was followed by a quarter-definal defeat to Russia in 2018 and a loss on penalties against Morocco in the round of 16 in 2022, when the tournament was hosted in Qatar.

Spain have faced Saudi Arabia three times since 2006, with La Roja winning all three meetings, yet enter into their latest match against the Middle Eastern side without Lamine Yamal.

The Barcelona winger admitted that he still isn’t ready to play a full 90 minutes for Spain, still feeling the effects of a hamstring problem he sustained earlier in the season.

“I’m fine, I’m feeling good, but it’s too soon, it’s unnecessary,” Yamal told TVE about the chance of playing a full match.

“I’m still settling in. It’s not the right time to play a full match yet, but I can play for as many minutes as the manager wants.”

Yamal was given a 20-minute cameo against Cape Verde by his manager de la Fuente and was unable to make an impact on proceedings as they were held to a frustrating draw despite all of their dominance.

Saudi Arabia head into the clash on the back of a 1-1 draw against Uruguay on Monday.

It marks their eighth appearance at a FIFA World Cup, with their best performance coming in 1994 when they reached the Round of 16 during the tournament hosted by the United States.

Saudi Arabia will be aiming to avoid another group-stage exit after being eliminated in the opening round at both the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Saudi Arabia are currently ahead of Spain in Group F, sitting second and on course to reach the knockout stages depending on the results from their final two group matches.

The Green Falcons have lost two friendlies against Spain and have never beaten then at the World Cup, so they will be looking to make history and cause yet another upset involving the European champions from 2024.

The match will kick off at 17:00 (BST) with live coverage being broadcast on BBC One and the BBC Sport website.

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