JAKARTA - Winger Nico Williams said he was ready to join his teammate, Lamine Yamal, in Spain's starting XI in the last Group H match against Uruguay on Saturday, June 27, 2026, morning WIB.
Spain led the group ahead of the game in Guadalajara, Mexico - after beating Saudi Arabia 4-0 in the second group match, with Yamal returning from injury to play a major role - but still needed a result to ensure qualification for the knockout phase in the top spot to avoid a potential clash with Argentina in the last 32.
Yamal played for 45 minutes against Saudi Arabia in Atlanta, while Williams only played for half an hour.
"Physically I feel good. However, I still need to find a competitive rhythm, the spark that defines me. It will come, with the additional training I'm doing," Williams said ahead of Spain's practice in Guadalajara on Thursday, June 25, 2026, local time.
Williams, who was key to Spain's success at Euro 2024, said whether he would be in the starting lineup or not would be decided by coach Luis de la Fuente.
"I will continue to work as I have been doing. If the boss gives me the opportunity, I will really appreciate it. If not, I will continue to work hard and support my teammates. No, (there will be no problem to be a starter)," he said.
Meanwhile, in Spain's match against Saudi Arabia, Pedro Porro came in as a right back and collaborated well with Yamal.
"It's an honor to play with him. There are different aspects of the game you have to take into account when you have a player like Lamine in front of you, but that's just it."
"I've played a lot with him. Over time we've gotten to know each other better," Porro said.
The situation also made the squad put their trust in Luis de la Fuente who is good at managing the team despite being plagued by several injury problems. Winger Yeremy Pino also praised the role of the coach.
"He's been very impressive for me. In the way he's treated me, when I came back from a long-term injury."
"He supports me. For me and the team, he is very important, he helps this team to grow and believe in themselves," said Pino.
Apart from that, Williams praised the performances of the stars, such as Lionel Messi, so far at the 2026 World Cup. He hopes Spain can replicate the clinical approach of other teams so that goals flow more freely.
"(Messi) doesn't surprise me. Messi is Messi. He does the things he does, he's amazing. There's also Vinicius (Junior), (Erling) Haaland, (Kylian) Mbappe, who are competing for the Golden Boot. I hope we can be clinical in front of the goal and see the best performance of Lamine as well," he said.
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