Lamine Yamal to start on bench as Spain open World Cup campaign against Cape Verde
The 18-year-old star is ready to play after a thigh injury but will not feature from the start in Monday's Group H match in Atlanta, coach Luis de la Fuente confirmed.
Yamal's fitness and role
Spain forward Lamine Yamal has recovered from the left thigh injury he sustained while playing for Barcelona on 22 April, but he will begin Monday's World Cup opener against Cape Verde on the bench. Coach Luis de la Fuente told reporters the 18-year-old is in full training and available, though not yet ready for a full 90 minutes. Nico Williams and Víctor Muñoz, also returning from injuries, will likewise start the match among the substitutes.
He is ready to play tomorrow without any problem. Not for 90 minutes, but to come on at some point. He is in perfect condition to play some minutes.
Spain's Group H challenge
Spain enter the tournament among the leading contenders, drawn in Group H alongside Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay. The base camp in Chattanooga, Tennessee, has provided what federation president Rafael Louzan called an ideal environment for the first phase. The team arrived in Atlanta for a final training session at Kennesaw State University on Sunday.
Lamine Yamal is already an icon of world football.
Louzan added that the next step for the Barcelona prodigy would be to take over from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, though he cautioned that such transitions take time.
Building confidence from the first whistle
Mikel Merino, back to full fitness after a foot injury that sidelined him for much of the second half of the club season, stressed that mental readiness matters as much as physical form in tournament football. Álex Baena echoed that view, noting that a strong start can set the tone for a long campaign.
The first match helps to gain confidence. It is important mentally; the tournament is very long, it is good to gain confidence.
De la Fuente declined to call his side outright favourites but pointed to the depth of talent in midfield, calling it the best in the world. Spain will try to channel the spirit of their 2010 World Cup triumph and their 2024 European Championship victory as they begin the quest for a second global title.
- Yamal sustains a thigh injury while playing for Barcelona, ruling him out for eight weeks.
- Coach De la Fuente confirms Yamal will not start against Cape Verde but is available from the bench.
- Spain vs Cape Verde, Group H, kickoff at 18:00 local time in Atlanta (16:00 GMT).
