Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has rejected Lamine Yamal’s request to start in the 2026 FIFA World Cup opener against Cape Verde on June 15 in Atlanta. Prioritizing long-term availability over immediate impact, the coach will limit the 18-year-old Barcelona winger to a controlled 15-20 minute appearance off the bench.
This decision stems from Yamal’s recent recovery from a left hamstring injury sustained on April 22. Although he returned to full training on June 11, de la Fuente insists on a graduated reintroduction to mitigate re-injury risks.
The strategic roadmap sees Yamal playing approximately 30 minutes against Saudi Arabia on June 21, with the objective of being fully fit to start the final group stage match against Uruguay. Yamal, who became a pivotal figure during UEFA Euro 2024, remains a cornerstone of Spain’s tactical identity. De la Fuente views protecting Yamal’s fitness as essential for the knockout stages, avoiding the career-defining error of losing a key asset to a preventable aggravation.