Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has confirmed that Lamine Yamal will be available for La Roja’s opening encounter at the 2026 World Cup, even though he has only recently recovered from a hamstring injury. The Barcelona prodigy has returned to fitness after a spell on the sidelines and could feature when Spain begin their campaign against Cape Verde.
De la Fuente confirms Yamal’s availability
De la Fuente moved to allay fears regarding Yamal’s health ahead of Spain’s first fixture of the tournament. The young Barcelona winger had been out of action for several weeks owing to a hamstring issue, sparking anxiety about his readiness for a demanding international competition. Despite that, Spain’s manager has made it clear that the 18-year-old is fit enough to be part of the squad for the opener, even if he is not yet ready to play a full 90 minutes.
Spain boss elaborates on Yamal’s condition
Addressing journalists in Chattanooga, De la Fuente provided details of Yamal’s situation and noted that the final call on his playing time would be taken closer to kick-off. The coach dismissed suggestions that deploying the teenager would amount to an unnecessary risk considering his recent recovery.
“He is in condition to participate on Monday,” De la Fuente said. “We will assess the circumstances. You have an idea and the game takes you to something else. Lamine is ready to play but not to play the 90 minutes.”
He further added, “Football is a risky activity. In three minutes or 90 minutes you can get injured as there is always risk. We think about the health of the players but we have to consider that in a World Cup the first match can be decisive. We will assess how he is.”
Barcelona’s limited influence
Although club sides often attempt to manage their key players’ workloads during international duty, the World Cup presents a different scenario. While Barcelona and the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) remain in contact, the final decision rests solely with the Spanish national team’s coaching staff. This leaves Hansi Flick and the Catalan club’s management with minimal authority over Yamal’s involvement.
De la Fuente emphasised that communication channels between the two camps are functioning smoothly but reiterated that the ultimate decision would be his when it comes to team selection for Monday’s match.
“The communication with Barca is fantastic; there is an extraordinary collaboration. There is constant contact with Barca but I am the one who will make the decision. I’ll assess whether he has to play or not,” he explained.
Careful management of Yamal’s playing time
As De la Fuente has indicated, Yamal is unlikely to be on the pitch for the full duration of the match against Cape Verde. Spain might opt to bring him off the bench, allowing him to make an impact while avoiding excessive strain on his recently healed hamstring.
For Spain, having one of their brightest young attacking stars available again provides a major lift as they embark on their World Cup journey. Meanwhile, Barcelona will be monitoring the situation closely as the teenage sensation gradually returns to competitive action on football’s grandest stage.
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