Spain’s Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams on course for World Cup opener, says Luis de la Fuente
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Spain's Lamine Yamal (left) and Nico Williams during training at Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on June 6 ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
PHOTO: IMAGN IMAGES
PUEBLA – Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said on June 7 that Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams and Victor Munoz are on track to be available for their World Cup opener against Cape Verde on June 15.
Yamal, 18, has been managing groin issues and a hamstring injury since April, while Williams, 23, and Munoz, 22, have also been recovering from injuries.
The trio remained at Spain’s training base in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to continue their rehabilitation, rather than travel with the squad for their final warmup match against Peru in Puebla, Mexico on June 8 (June 9 morning, Singapore time).
“If there are no setbacks in the coming days, we expect them to be available on the 15th,” de la Fuente told reporters. “I think all three will be in a position to play.”
Asked whether the players could be ready to start against Cape Verde, de la Fuente was more cautious.
“All three are within the expected timelines to arrive in good condition for June 15,” he said.
“The most important thing is that those timelines are being met and will continue to be met, so they can be with us and available to be selected at some point in the match.”
Spain arrive at the World Cup among the leading contenders after their Euro 2024 triumph, with a Goldman Sachs prediction model giving them a tournament-high 26 per cent chance of lifting the trophy.
Forward Yeremy Pino said the Spaniards were embracing expectations.
“The favourites tag is normal,” the 23-year-old said. “We’ve had some very good years and we carry that with a lot of pride.
“Pressure should not make us play worse. It should make us improve and play better.”
Morocco, one of Spain’s fellow co-hosts for the next World Cup in 2030, may have more worrying news on the fitness front.
Starters Abdessamad Ezzalzouli and Noussair Mazraoui could be forced out of their opening game against Brazil at the upcoming global showpiece on June 13.
Both went off early in the 1-1 draw with Norway on June 7 in their last friendly before the tournament in the US, Canada, and Mexico kicks off on June 11.
Ezzalzouli was replaced at half-time because of a leg injury, while Mazraoui departed in the 28th minute with a shoulder problem during a tough encounter in which the Moroccans took an early lead via Brahim Diaz, but Norway equalised with 15 minutes remaining thanks to Martin Odegaard.
“We left a good impression despite not winning because we really showed some very good things against a very good opponent,” Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi told reporters.
“That’s the point of playing against teams like this. When you make so many changes (10 in total), it’s difficult for the player but it was important that we managed everyone’s playing time.
“Two players went off injured. We’re waiting to see how serious it is. I’m more concerned about that.”
Morocco were surprise semi-finalists at the last World Cup in 2022 and have high hopes of another strong performance at the 2026 edition.
In other significant World Cup warmups on June 7, Croatia beat Slovenia 2-1 while South American qualifiers Ecuador eased past Guatemala 3-0 and Colombia claimed a 2-0 win over Jordan.
As several teams have completed their final preparations, England have one more friendly against Costa Rica on June 10, a day before the tournament kicks off.
Ahead of that match, manager Thomas Tuchel said Jude Bellingham faces stiff competition to secure a starting place at the World Cup, describing the Real Madrid midfielder as one of several contenders in a deep squad.
The 22-year-old featured in just five of England’s qualifiers, while Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers appeared in all eight, underlining the selection dilemma which the German faces for the No. 10 role.
Asked if Bellingham had a fight to make the starting line-up, Tuchel was unequivocal.
“Yes, he has,” Tuchel told reporters. “He knows he is one of the starters, but we have 14 or 15 potential starters.
“These roles can always change, but at the moment, I think there are 14 or 15 proper starters and Jude is one of them,” he added.
Despite the competition for places, Tuchel said he had been encouraged by Bellingham’s recent form following injury.
“He looks good in training,” the German said. “I think he is at the moment in a sweet spot because he has had his break and has the hunger to be back on the pitch.” REUTERS