Spain’s opening Group H match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled against Cabo Verde on June 15 in Atlanta. Head coach Luis de la Fuente is optimistic about Lamine Yamal’s recovery from a left hamstring injury sustained while playing for Barcelona in April, but says the forward’s availability is not certain. “If nothing changes, he could be ready to play on June 15,” de la Fuente said.
Yamal, an 18-year-old Barcelona forward, was expected to miss Spain’s warm-up match against Iraq as he continued his recovery. De la Fuente stressed that being considered for the opener would not guarantee an appearance: “It doesn’t mean that for sure he will play, we’ll see. Maybe a few minutes, maybe just practice so he can improve his condition for the second match. We will have to evaluate.” Yamal could get limited minutes, train without playing, or miss the match, depending on his condition.
Spain’s remaining Group H fixtures are against Saudi Arabia on June 21 and Uruguay on June 26 in Guadalajara, Mexico. The Uruguay match is Spain’s final group-stage fixture. The staff is assessing Yamal’s workload across the group stage as his recovery progresses, rather than setting it in advance.
De la Fuente is known for a composed approach under pressure, often compared with Vicente del Bosque, who led Spain to the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European Championship. The opener against Cabo Verde is the current squad’s first test in a group that also includes Saudi Arabia and Uruguay. Spain’s staff are preparing for the opposition while managing the squad’s fitness ahead of the tournament.
As russpain.com noted, Spain’s preparations have included a friendly against Peru, giving the coaching staff a chance to assess players and adjust the lineup before competitive matches. The World Cup is being staged across the United States, Mexico and Canada, with travel between host locations adding logistical demands for participating teams.
Yamal’s return would matter to Spain and Barcelona, where he has already established himself at senior level. For the national team, his availability for the opener remains uncertain: de la Fuente says Yamal could be ready, but any decision on his participation will depend on how his recovery develops.
