Spanish football fans have reason to be optimistic after manager Luis de la Fuente provided a positive update on the injury status of Barcelona’s teenage sensation, Lamine Yamal. During a recent press conference, the head coach confirmed that the 18-year-old winger is expected to be fully fit before Spain’s opening match in the upcoming World Cup.
Yamal suffered a hamstring injury while scoring for Barcelona in La Liga on April 22. The setback immediately cast doubt on his availability for the tournament, sparking intense concern among supporters. However, De la Fuente clarified that while Yamal will be rested for today’s friendly match against Iraq in A Coruña, he is on track to feature when Spain begins their World Cup campaign against Cape Verde in Atlanta on June 15.
The manager emphasized that everything is going according to plan, and the medical staff expects him to be ready by June 15. De la Fuente added that this does not necessarily mean he will start the match. Depending on his physical condition, the coaching staff might introduce him for a few minutes towards the end of the game to ensure he regains full match fitness before the subsequent fixtures.
In addition to Yamal, other key players currently managing minor injuries—specifically Nico Williams and Victor Muñoz—will also be rested for the match against Iraq. The squad rotation strategy is also being applied to players who recently participated in the UEFA Champions League final in Budapest, as the coaching staff seeks to prevent fatigue. While a final friendly match against Peru is scheduled to take place on Mexican soil this coming Monday, De la Fuente has not yet revealed the starting lineup for that encounter.
Spain has been drawn into Group H for this World Cup. Following their opener against Cape Verde, the team will face Saudi Arabia in Atlanta on June 21, followed by a final group stage match against Uruguay in Guadalajara on June 26. Since their maiden World Cup triumph in South Africa in 2010, Spain has failed to progress beyond the Round of 16 in the last three editions of the tournament. The nation is now looking toward the 18-year-old prodigy to help break this 16-year drought and potentially lead La Roja to their second world title. The football world waits with bated breath to see if this young Spanish side, under the guidance of De la Fuente, can finally rise to the occasion on the global stage.
