Spain manager confirms Lamine Yamal plans for 2026 World Cup opener | OneFootball

There will be plenty of Barcelona attention on the Atlanta Stadium on Monday when Spain kick off their 2026 World Cup campaign against Cape Verde. The likes of Pau Cubarsi, Pedri and Ferran Torres are in line to start the match, but there is much more uncertainty surrounding the situation with Lamine Yamal.

The 18-year-old hadn’t played in almost two months. He picked up a hamstring injury in Barcelona’s victory over Celta Vigo in April, and since then, he has been working his way back to full fitness in time for the World Cup – and the suggestion is that he will be able to play some part against Cape Verde on Monday.

Barcelona are happy for Lamine Yamal to play in Monday’s match, although it’s been reported that they would prefer he didn’t start. Their request is likely to be fulfilled, with Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente hinting that no risks will be taken with the star winger, despite the fact that he is in “perfect condition”, as per Diario AS.

“Let me decide. Lamine is in perfect condition and has arrived at the appointment at the time we wanted him to arrive. I anticipate that they are all available. Some of them are not ready to play every minute, but I insist that the best news is that they are all there. The doctors indicate that he is ready to play. Football is a risky activity. He is not ready to play 90 minutes, but he is there to participate for a while.”

Barcelona cannot afford any Lamine Yamal setbacks

Image via Angel Martinez/Getty Images

Barcelona will be well aware that Lamine Yamal must be managed properly over the summer if the same mistakes made during Pedri’s marathon 2020-21 season are to be avoided. They will hope that he does shine during the World Cup, although the preference is certainly for him to be eased back into action by Spain and de la Fuente.