Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente says he expects Lamine Yamal to be available to feature against Cape Verde in his side’s World Cup opener following a hamstring injury.Yamal, 18, missed the end of Barcelona’s season after suffering a hamstring injury in his left leg in April, and the expectation was he would not recover in time for Spain’s first World Cup group game on June 15, and would face a race to be fit for the second against Saudi Arabia on June 21.The Barcelona forward has not travelled to Mexico for Tuesday’s friendly against Peru, and has remained at Spain’s base camp in Chattanooga, Tennessee, alongside Athletic Club forward Nico Williams and Osasuna’s Victor Munoz, who are also recovering from respective injuries.
De la Fuente said he was hopeful all three players would be fit to feature in Spain’s opening World Cup group game, but would not be drawn on whether they would be available to start.“If there are no setbacks in the coming days, we expect them to be available on the 15th,” De la Fuente told a press conference, in quotes carried by Reuters. “I think all three will be in a position to play.”Asked whether the three players could start against Cape Verde, De La Fuente replied: “All three are within the expected timelines to arrive in good condition for June 15.“The most important thing is that those timelines are being met and will continue to be met, so they can be with us and available to be selected at some point in the match.”Yamal suffered the injury during Barcelona’s La Liga victory over Celta Vigo on April 22.The 2025 Ballon d’Or runner up made 45 appearances in all competitions during the 2025-26 campaign as Barcelona defended the La Liga title, registering 24 goals and 16 assists.He has scored six goals in 25 appearances for Spain since making his senior debut as a 16-year-old. Alongside Williams, who missed the end of Athletic Club’s season with a hamstring injury, he played a key role in Spain’s 2024 European Championship success.Munoz, 22, made his international debut in March following a breakout season in La Liga.Jun 8, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms
