Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has expressed confidence that teenage sensation Lamine Yamal will be fit and firing when the World Cup begins next month, despite the Barcelona forward's recent hamstring injury. De la Fuente unveiled his 26-man squad with the winger included in the travelling party, signalling the coaching staff's belief that the 17-year-old will recover in time for Spain's opening fixture against Cape Verde on June 15.
During an interview on Spanish state broadcaster RTVE, De la Fuente spoke passionately about Yamal's readiness for the tournament. "He's incredibly excited. He's incredibly eager. He's very young but very mature," the manager explained. "This is Lamine Yamal's moment. He's very good, and he'll only get better as his teammates help him perform at his best." De la Fuente emphasised that seizing opportunities at this stage of a career is crucial, particularly for a player of Yamal's calibre who may not have guaranteed prominence at future World Cups.
Recovery Timeline and Squad Dynamics
The Spain coach confirmed that injured players, including midfielder Mikel Merino, are on track to be available for the group stage. "The situation of the injured players is good, given where each one is in their recovery process," De la Fuente stated. "They will all be available, optimistically, for the first match. But our focus is on something beyond the first match." This cautious approach suggests Spain will prioritise long-term fitness over rushing players back for their opening match.
Spain's squad selection carries historical weight as the first World Cup delegation to feature zero Real Madrid representatives in decades, following the omissions of Dani Carvajal and other Bernabéu players. De la Fuente's roster is built around Barcelona and other elite European clubs, with emphasis on technical quality and collective cohesion.
As reigning European champions, Spain face an intense group containing Saudi Arabia and Uruguay alongside Cape Verde. Yamal's availability could prove decisive in a competitive Group H. The technical staff will monitor physical metrics during the upcoming training camp to ensure the squad peaks during the demanding group stage and beyond.
