Spain's injury worries ease ahead of World Cup opener

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has offered a largely upbeat assessment of his squad's fitness ahead of the team's opening World Cup match, with Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal, Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams and Victor Munoz all expected to be available for the Group H clash with Cape Verde on June 15 in Atlanta.

Yamal, 18, has not played since April, having struggled with a hamstring injury and groin issues, as reported by Al Jazeera and France 24. Despite the layoff, De la Fuente told reporters the trio remained on track. "If there are no setbacks in the coming days, we expect them to be available on the 15th," he said, according to Al Jazeera. "I think all three will be in a position to play."

De la Fuente has stressed, however, that none of the recovering players will start the match. "They're all available, but they won't be able to play from the start of the match," he said, as quoted by Al Jazeera. "We'll have to wait and see how the game progresses, and then we'll make a decision on how they can contribute to the team."

Recovery timelines and squad selection

Yamal's injury problems have been a recurring theme in Spain's pre-tournament buildup. Reports from Al Jazeera and France 24 noted that the teenager suffered a hamstring injury with Barcelona in late April, an issue compounded by groin discomfort. He missed Spain's recent friendlies but made his first appearance since the injury as a 71st-minute substitute in the team's surprise goalless draw with Cape Verde in their Group H opener, according to Al Jazeera.

Yamal himself has been cautious about his fitness, telling Spanish public broadcaster RTVE, as quoted by Al Jazeera: "It's not the time to play a whole match, but I can play whatever minutes the coach wants." De la Fuente told Radio Cope that Yamal could play "an hour" in the team's second group game against Saudi Arabia on June 21.

Nico Williams, a key figure in Spain's Euro 2024 triumph, also missed the end of the club season with a hamstring injury, yet De la Fuente included him in his 26-man World Cup squad, saying he expected both players to be fit for the tournament. Mikel Merino, the Arsenal midfielder, was also named in the squad despite a recent return from a long injury layoff, having appeared as a substitute for the Gunners on the final day of the Premier League season, as reported by France 24.

The squad announcement, made on Monday, drew attention for a notable absence: for the first time since 1950, Spain's World Cup squad does not include a Real Madrid player, according to Al Jazeera and France 24. Dean Huijsen was dropped due to injury, while veteran Dani Carvajal was also excluded after an injury-hit campaign. De la Fuente played down the significance of the Madrid absence, saying, "I don't look at where the players come from. They're national team players; I don't look at one club or another."

Barcelona provide eight players to the squad, including Yamal, Gavi, Pedri and goalkeeper Joan Garcia, while seven players are based in the Premier League, with Arsenal contributing three, according to France 24.

Key claims

  • Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams and Victor Munoz are expected to be available for Spain's World Cup opener against Cape Verde on June 15, though none will start, as reported by Al Jazeera.
  • Yamal has not played since April due to groin issues and a hamstring injury, a claim carried by Al Jazeera and France 24.
  • De la Fuente said the players are "progressing as expected" and that Yamal "could be ready on June 15," as quoted by Al Jazeera.
  • Spain's squad does not include a Real Madrid player for the first time since 1950, as reported by Al Jazeera and France 24.
  • Mikel Merino was included in the squad after his recent return from injury, as reported by Al Jazeera and France 24.
  • Spain were held to a surprise goalless draw by Cape Verde in their Group H opener, as reported by Al Jazeera.

Perspectives

Luis de la Fuente (Spain coach): Expressed confidence in the fitness of Yamal, Williams and Munoz, saying they would be available for the opener but would not start, with their involvement to be decided based on how the game progresses.