Spain v Cape Verde LIVE: Lamine Yamal on bench for World Cup opener against huge underdogs

In partnership with

The Independent

·15 juin 2026

Spain v Cape Verde LIVE: Lamine Yamal on bench for World Cup opener against huge underdogs

Spain have left star forward Lamine Yamal on the bench as they open their World Cup campaign against tournament debutants Cape Verde.

Barcelona’s Yamal, who so enlivened Euro 2024, entered the tournament under an injury cloud, although manager Luis de la Fuente revealed on match eve that he should be fit to play some part in Atlanta. That is a significant boost to a team that will have designs on a tilt at global glory after securing their continental crown two summers ago.

Vidéos OneFootball

One would expect Spain to have few issues in this opening fixture, but Cape Verde have plenty of high-level European experience within the ranks and the capacity to cause problems for their more vaunted opponents. Now Africa Cup of Nations regulars, it is a tough task to start for Bubista’s side – but you never know in tournament football...