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Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has expressed strong confidence in teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, backing him to shine at the upcoming World Cup even as he recovers from a recent injury setback. After announcing his 26-man squad, De la Fuente highlighted that this tournament could mark a major turning point in the Barcelona forward’s career, as he continues rehabilitation from a hamstring issue.

Manager sets expectations for the tournament

In a televised interview following the official squad reveal, De la Fuente shared his tactical vision for Spain’s World Cup campaign. The reigning European champions will begin their journey on June 15 against Cape Verde, with both Yamal and Mikel Merino — who are nursing injuries — included in the travelling squad. Although Yamal missed the end of the domestic season due to a muscle concern, the Spanish coaching team remain hopeful that he will regain full fitness in time for the tournament’s opening stages.

De la Fuente calls for instant impact

Speaking about the widespread excitement surrounding his teenage forward, De la Fuente told RTVE and EFE’s ‘Los Desayunos’ programme: “He’s incredibly excited. He’s extremely eager. He’s still very young but already shows great maturity. He knows this is his moment. In life, you have to make the most of your opportunities.

“Nobody can predict what the next World Cup will bring. This is Lamine Yamal’s moment. He’s a special player, and he’ll continue to grow as his teammates support him to perform at his best. I believe we have some of the finest players in the world across many positions, and that will only help him flourish further.”

Squad management and injury updates

The Spanish manager also discussed broader squad management decisions, including the inclusion of Eric Garcia and the return to fitness of Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino after an extended injury layoff. This squad selection also stands out historically as the first Spanish World Cup team without any Real Madrid players, following the exclusions of Dani Carvajal, Dean Huijsen, Gonzalo Garcia and Fran Garcia.

Addressing the recovery status of his injured players, De la Fuente added: “The condition of the injured players is encouraging, considering where each one stands in their recovery. We expect all of them to be available for the first match, if all goes well. Afterwards, we’ll decide whether it’s wise for them to feature immediately. Our objectives, however, go well beyond the opening game.”

What lies ahead?

Spain head into the World Cup carrying the weight of expectations as current European champions, with stiff competition from a strong field of contenders. The coaching team will use the upcoming training camp to closely monitor each player’s physical data, aiming to ensure the squad reaches its peak performance through the demanding group phase. La Roja are placed in Group H, where they will also face Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.