Luis de la Fuente confirmed: Lamine Yamal is ready to play after injury. The head coach of the Spanish national team announced that Lamine Yamal will be able to play after his recovery. Medical staff see no obstacles to his return to the field. The decision was made on the eve of the match against Cape Verde.
Ahead of Spain's first match at the World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, head coach Luis de la Fuente announced that Lamine Yamal has fully recovered from a muscle injury and is ready to take the field. The decision was made together with the medical staff, who see no contraindications for the player's participation in the upcoming match. Yamal's condition had been one of the most discussed topics in recent weeks, given his key role and concerns over a possible recurrence of the injury.
The injury sustained on April 22 during the match between Barcelona and Celta caused serious concern among the club's management. Doctors noted a high risk of re-injury—up to 30% with similar muscle injuries. However, according to de la Fuente, all specialist recommendations have been taken into account, and now the player can play part of the match without risking his health. The coach emphasized that he is not expected to play a full match: Yamal is not yet ready to spend all 90 minutes on the field, but he can play for a certain amount of time.
The coaching staff's plan calls for a gradual increase in workload: a few minutes against Cape Verde, then up to an hour in the next game against Saudi Arabia, so that by the key match with Uruguay the player will be in optimal shape. This approach should minimize risks and allow the team to avoid losses in decisive group stage games. A similar strategy is being applied to another squad player—Nico, who also recovered from an injury.
Inside the team, de la Fuente's calm and confident demeanor is noted, as he prefers to focus on current tasks without being distracted by external pressure. This working style is compared to Vicente del Bosque's approach, under whose leadership Spain won the World Cup and the European Championship. Before the tournament began, the coach emphasized the importance of a strong start: the match against Cape Verde is seen as critical for both the team's mindset and its tournament prospects.
The coaching staff does not intend to underestimate their first-round opponent. According to de la Fuente, the team is thoroughly preparing for the encounter, analyzing Cape Verde's strengths and preparing the players for a serious battle. All necessary information about the opponent will be communicated to the players on the eve of the match to avoid any unpleasant surprises on the field.
Such caution and attention to detail have already paid off ahead of major tournaments. For example, in preparation for the 2026 World Cup, the Spanish national team played a friendly match against Peru, which served as the final test before the start of the tournament. As noted by russpain.com, this match allowed the coaching staff to assess the readiness of key players and adjust the lineup before the official games: details about the friendly match against Peru.
For reference: Lamine Yamal is considered one of the most promising young players in Spain. His return to action is important not only for the national team but also for Barcelona, where he has already made an impact at the senior level. The 2026 World Cup is being held in three countries — the USA, Mexico, and Canada — which creates additional logistical and climate challenges for the participants. Spain's group also includes Saudi Arabia and Uruguay, and one of the potential opponents in the playoffs could be the reigning champion, Argentina.
