Spain national football team coach Luis de la Fuente has named teenage sensation Lamine Yamal in Spain’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite concerns over the youngster’s fitness.
Yamal, who has been sidelined since late April with a hamstring injury suffered while playing for FC Barcelona, remains doubtful for Spain’s opening matches at the tournament. However, De la Fuente expressed confidence that the winger would recover in time.
The Spain coach explained that the national team has been working closely with club medical teams and insisted reports available to the federation indicate that injured players should be fit for either the first or second group game.
The 18-year-old was one of Spain’s standout performers during their successful Euro 2024 campaign alongside Nico Williams, who was also included in the squad despite battling fitness problems throughout the season with Athletic Bilbao.
Mikel Merino also earned a call-up after recently returning from injury. The Arsenal FC midfielder made his first appearance since January during Arsenal’s Premier League clash against Crystal Palace FC on Sunday following recovery from a foot fracture.
De la Fuente further rewarded defenders Eric García and Marc Pubill for their impressive performances this season with Barcelona and Atlético Madrid respectively.
In a major talking point, Spain’s World Cup squad does not include a single Real Madrid CF player for the first time in the country’s World Cup history. Defender Dean Huijsen was left out, while veteran full-back Dani Carvajal
Spain open their World Cup campaign on June 15 against Cape Verde in Group H, before facing Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.
The Squad in Full:
Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), David Raya (Arsenal/ENG), Joan Garcia (Barcelona)
Defenders: Marcos Llorente, Marc Pubill (Atlético Madrid), Pedro Porro (Tottenham/ENG), Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Bilbao), Eric García, Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea/ENG), Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen/GER)
Midfielders: Rodri (Manchester City/ENG), Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino (Arsenal/ENG), Pedri, Gavi (Barcelona), Fabian Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Alex Baena (Atletico Madrid)
Forwards: Yeremy Pino (Crystal Palace/ENG), Victor Munoz (Osasuna), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Ferran Torres, Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Borja Iglesias (Celta Vigo)
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