Spain expects Lamine Yamal to be ready for opener

Field Level Media
08 Jun 2026, 20:10 GMT+10

(Photo credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images)

Spain is expecting teen phenom Lamine Yamal to be available for the June 15 World Cup opener against Cape Verde in Atlanta.

The 18-year-old midfielder missed the end of Barcelona's season with a left hamstring strain, and the injury will keep him idle for Monday's final tune-up friendly against Peru in Puebla, Mexico.

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente said he was hopeful that Yamal and forwards Nico Williams and Victor Munoz will be available for the Group H opener, but did not speculate on their availability to start.

'If there are no setbacks in the coming days, we expect them to be ?available on the 15th,' De la Fuente said, according to Reuters. 'I think all three ?will be in a position ?to play.'

'All three are ?within the expected timelines to arrive in ?good condition for June 15,' he added. '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 was runner-up in the 2025 Ballon d'Or voting for the best player in the world. He also helped Spain win the Euro 2024 title after turning 17 during the tournament.

He has six goals in 25 career appearances for the Spanish national team, which enters the tournament ranked No. 2 in the world behind defending World Cup champion Argentina.

--Field Level Media

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Yorkshire Observer.

More Information

World

Section

Putin's Q&A with world news agency heads at SPIEF: As it happened

The Russian president fielded questions on Ukraine, strategic partnerships, new weapons systems, the Middle East, and Moscow's relations...

Focus on scoring 350-400 runs on the board: Skipper Gill after India beat Afghanistan in one-off Test

New Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], June 8 (ANI): Following his side's massive win over Afghanistan in the one-off Test, Indian skipper...

"Malaysia connection needs to be thoroughly exposed": Sanjay Nirupam demands probe into Nashik conversion case

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 8 (ANI): Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam on Monday levelled serious allegations regarding an alleged...

"Top of the world feeling": Manav Suthar after winning POTM award on Test debut

New Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], June 8 (ANI): Following an outstanding Test debut for India against Afghanistan, all-rounder Manav...

Marsh, Head, Sangha to miss key matches on Australia's Bangladesh tour

New Delhi [India], June 8 (ANI): Australia have been dealt a significant blow ahead of their upcoming white-ball tour of Bangladesh,...

Odisha CM Majhi inaugurates 650-Bed Hospital at Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College

Mayurbhanj (Odisha) [India], June 8 (ANI): Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday inaugurated the new 650-bed hospital...

UK Sports

Section

With approx 190 warheads, India widens nuke arsenal lead over Pakistan: SIPRI report says India's military spend USD 92.1 bn in 2025

New Delhi [India], June 8 (ANI): India is believed to have once again slightly expanded its nuclear arsenal in 2025 and continued development...