Spain have included Lamine Yamal in their World Cup roster even though the 18-year-old forward is still coming back from a hamstring injury suffered in mid-April. Luis de la Fuente is hopeful he may be available for Spain’s first group game against Cabo Verde on June 15.
The call keeps Spain’s most explosive young attacker in the frame for a tournament that begins with heavy expectations. Yamal, who plays for Barcelona, scored 24 goals and added 15 assists in the season just gone and finished as Ballon d’Or runner-up, a reminder of how much Spain have come to rely on him.
That reliance matters because Spain are not arriving as outsiders. They won the European Championship in 2024 and are again viewed among the favorites to win the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer. Their recent success has sharpened the spotlight on every selection, especially one involving a player with so much of the attack built around his pace and end product.
But the decision also carries a clear risk. Bringing Yamal back too soon after a hamstring injury could invite more problems, and Spain are not only waiting on him. Nico Williams and Víctor Muñoz are also racing to be fit in time for the start of the tournament, leaving de la Fuente with fitness questions that could shape the opening stretch of Group H.
For Spain, the immediate question is less about reputation than timing. If Yamal is ready for Cabo Verde, their attack looks far more complete; if not, the roster choice will stand as a bet on the bigger picture, with the manager hoping the player who helped drive Barcelona’s season can still arrive when it matters most.
