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All eyes are on the World Cup, but there may be growing concern for Spain’s young sensation, Lamine Yamal.

Officials from the Spanish national football team have reportedly received discouraging updates regarding Lamine Yamal’s availability for the upcoming World Cup.

As per a report from The Athletic, the FC Barcelona forward is set to miss Spain’s opening World Cup match against Cape Verde on 15 June due to a thigh injury.

The same report indicates that Yamal’s recovery timeline remains uncertain, placing his participation in the second group-stage encounter against Saudi Arabia on 21 June in serious doubt.

The 18-year-old suffered the thigh muscle tear while taking a penalty during Barcelona’s 1-0 La Liga victory over Celta Vigo in late April. This injury has already forced him to sit out the remainder of Barça’s season. The Athletic further reveals that the Spanish Football Federation, Barcelona, and Yamal himself are maintaining close communication about his progress. Members of Spain’s national medical team are said to be making regular trips to Barcelona to monitor his rehabilitation process.

This development raises the question: will Spain be forced to begin their World Cup campaign without their rising star, Lamine Yamal?

La Furia Roja are hopeful that Yamal can return in time for their final group-stage fixture against Uruguay on 26 June. However, if his recovery is delayed, missing the knockout stages in the USA, Mexico, and Canada would be a significant setback for Spain’s championship ambitions.

When fully fit, Yamal’s presence makes the European champions one of the strongest contenders for the World Cup. During the European Championship two years ago, when Spain triumphed over England in the final, Yamal—who was only 16 for most of the tournament—played an instrumental role in their success.

To date, Yamal has earned 25 international caps and scored six goals for Spain. However, injuries have limited his appearances, causing him to miss four of Spain’s six qualifying matches.

So, could Lamine Yamal potentially miss Spain’s World Cup opener? Here’s a look at La Roja’s upcoming fixtures:

Fixture List

4 June – Spain vs. Iraq (Friendly)

8 June – Peru vs. Spain (Friendly)

15 June – Spain vs. Cape Verde (2026 World Cup)

21 June – Spain vs. Saudi Arabia (2026 World Cup)

26 June – Uruguay vs. Spain (2026 World Cup)