Spain coach Luis de la Fuente says Lamine Yamal could be ready to feature in the Group H opener against Cape Verde on June 15, while stopping short of guaranteeing the recovering forward will start.
Lamine Yamal could be available for Spain's World Cup opener against Cape Verde, head coach Luis de la Fuente has said, offering the clearest sign yet that the 18-year-old has recovered in time from the hamstring injury that disrupted his end of season.
"If nothing changes, he could be ready to play on June 15," De la Fuente said, quoted by ESPN. "It doesn't mean that for sure he will play, we'll see."
The phrasing matters. De la Fuente expressed confidence rather than certainty — and other outlets have been more cautious, with Goal reporting Yamal could yet be eased in gradually. The honest summary: he is on track, but Spain are leaving themselves room to manage his minutes.
Yamal picked up a left hamstring injury on April 22 while converting a penalty for Barcelona in La Liga, an issue that, per ESPN, kept him out for the closing stretch of Barcelona's season.
!If nothing changes, he could be ready to play on June 15. It doesn't mean that for sure he will play.
De la Fuente's side begin their campaign in the United States and Mexico:
The staggered fitness picture means the Uruguay fixture has been floated in some reporting as a more conservative return date — though that is speculation rather than the coach's stated plan.
Yamal is not Spain's sole concern. De la Fuente confirmed Nico Williams and Víctor Muñoz were unavailable for a warm-up against Iraq, while players involved in the Champions League final were also rested. None of those absences has been framed as long-term.
Few players carry more anticipation into this tournament than Yamal, and Spain will weigh the pull of starting him immediately against the risk of a recurrence. On the coach's own words, the door is open for June 15 — but Spain are wisely refusing to nail it shut.
Expect a late call, and a managed reintroduction rather than 90 minutes from the first whistle.
Kickoff Scores is an independent publication and is not affiliated with FIFA.
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