Spain's head coach, Luis de la Fuente, has confirmed that Lamine Yamal is on track to be fit for the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite missing the upcoming warm-up game against Iraq. The 18-year-old Barcelona forward is currently recovering from a left hamstring injury.

Yamal's Recovery Progress

Yamal sustained his injury while taking a penalty for Barcelona during a league match on April 22. He expressed concerns about potentially missing the World Cup, stating he has been praying for a timely recovery. Coach de la Fuente indicated that if all goes well, Yamal could be ready to play against Cape Verde on June 15. However, he noted that this does not guarantee Yamal will participate, as they will assess his condition leading up to the match.

Spain's Preparations

In addition to Yamal, other key players such as Nico Williams and Victor Munoz will also miss the warm-up match against Iraq. De la Fuente has decided to exclude all players who participated in the Champions League final from the warm-up squad. Spain's final preparation match is scheduled against Peru in Mexico on Monday, although the lineup for that game has not been disclosed.

Spain will kick off their World Cup campaign against Cape Verde in Group H, followed by matches against Saudi Arabia on June 21 and Uruguay on June 26. The team, which last won the World Cup in 2010, is eager to make a significant impact this year, with de la Fuente expressing excitement about the tournament ahead.