De la Fuente confirms Yamal fit to feature against Cape Verde but not for 90 minutes

Luis de la Fuente has confirmed that Lamine Yamal is available for Spain’s World Cup 2026 Group H opener against Cape Verde, though the 17-year-old will not be risked for the full 90 minutes after a difficult end to his club season.

Yamal missed Spain’s warm-up friendly against Peru last week, raising questions about his readiness heading into the tournament. De la Fuente moved to settle those nerves at his pre-match press conference, stating: “The good news is that Lamine is in perfect condition. He’s arrived at this point in the state in which we wanted him to be. He’s fine, just like Nico [Williams] and Victor [Muñoz]. They’re all available, although some won’t play the entire game.”

The Spain boss was candid about the limits on Yamal’s involvement, adding: “The doctors say Lamine can play tomorrow without any issues. Not to play 90 minutes, but to play some minutes, yes.” He offered a similar assessment of Nico Williams, noting the two forwards have been training closely together and could feature if the game demands it.

Spain enter the tournament as one of the favourites, widely expected to build on their Euro 2024 triumph. Cape Verde, ranked 67th in the world and among the lowest-ranked sides in the competition, represent a manageable opener — a factor that may allow de la Fuente to manage his key players carefully from the outset.

Despite the late-season fitness setback, Yamal’s 2024-25 campaign with Barcelona was exceptional by any measure. The teenager scored 24 goals and contributed 18 assists across 45 appearances in all competitions, playing a central role as Barcelona claimed their second consecutive La Liga title, finishing eight points ahead of Real Madrid.