Lamine Yamal rules out starting against Saudi Arabia: "It's too soon"

Lamine Yamal will not be in Spain’s starting lineup on Sunday against Saudi Arabia in the Roja’s second group match at the 2026 World Cup. The FC Barcelona winger, who had already started on the bench in the draw against Cape Verde (1-1), ruled out this possibility himself in an interview with RTVE.

“It’s too soon. It’s not necessary. I’m in an adaptation period, it’s not the time to play a full match,” said the 17-year-old player, while remaining available for a substitute appearance: “I can play for as long as the coach gives me.”

Injured in the left thigh in late April, Yamal had ended his club season early to maximize his chances of being present at the World Cup. While doctors gave him the green light to participate in the competition — “they told me I was ready and in top form” — the Spanish staff prefers to manage his return with caution.

Spain, the defending European champions, find themselves in an uncomfortable situation at the top of the group, shared with three other teams that have neither won nor lost their first match. A victory against Saudi Arabia on Sunday is therefore crucial before facing Uruguay on June 27, a fixture for which Yamal could this time feature in the starting lineup.

The Barcelona player concluded on a personal note, expressing a wish to move past this difficult period: “I hope never to get injured again.”