Spain coach expects Lamine Yamal to be ready for 2026 World Cup opener

JAKARTA - Spain's national team coach, Luis de la Fuente, said he expects Lamine Yamal to be ready to play in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup.

De la Fuente said on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, local time, that Yamal would not play in the warm-up match on Friday, June 5, 2026, early morning WIB, against Iraq in A Coruna.

However, all indications are that he will be ready to face Cape Verde in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup in Atlanta on June 15, 2026.

"If there is no change, he could be ready to play on June 15, 2026. That doesn't mean he will definitely play, we'll just see later."

"Maybe a few minutes, maybe just training so he can improve his condition for the second match. We have to evaluate him," said De la Fuente.

Yamal suffered a left hamstring injury while executing a penalty kick for Barcelona in a LaLiga match on April 22, 2026.

He said this week that he feared missing out on the 2026 World Cup and prayed that he would recover in time for the tournament, which starts on June 11, 2026 in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The 18-year-old forward is expected to lead the Spanish squad as they try to win their second World Cup title.

De la Fuente said two other injured players in the squad - Nico Williams and Victor Munoz - would also not play against Iraq in the friendly, nor those who took part in the Champions League final.

Spain's final warm-up match will be against Peru in Mexico on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, early morning WIB. De la Fuente did not mention who was expected to play in that match.

Meanwhile, after opening the match against Cape Verde in Group H, Spain will face Saudi Arabia on June 21, 2026 in Atlanta and Uruguay on June 26, 2026 in Guadalajara.

Spain have not progressed past the World Cup's last 16 since they won their only world title in 2010.

"We are all excited to start and try to do well in this tournament," said De la Fuente.