Lamine Yamal cleared for Spain’s World Cup opener against Cape Verde

Lamine Yamal has been passed fit for Spain’s first World Cup match against Cape Verde on Monday, with coach Luis de la Fuente saying the forward is in “ideal condition” to be involved.

The 18-year-old is not tipped to be in the starting line-up in Atlanta, but Spain have made him available after a hamstring problem kept him out for Barcelona during the closing weeks of the club season.

“We are following the indications of medical staff from Barcelona, his club, and also from the Spanish national team, with the fitness coaches. Everything says that Lamine Yamal is ready to play tomorrow,” de la Fuente said at a news conference. “We don’t know how much. It is a matter of how the game is evolving, the game situation, that gives you a hint of when he might jump on the pitch, but he is in ideal condition to play tomorrow.”

Yamal has become one of Europe’s leading young players, having helped Spain capture the 2024 European Championship after turning 17 only the day before the final.

Now 18, he is seen by many as the footballer best positioned to follow Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the game’s leading global name.

His profile has already been clear in the United States as the World Cup gets under way. A large advertisement featuring Yamal is displayed above Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which is being called Atlanta Stadium for the tournament and will host Spain’s opening fixture.

On Sunday, supporters gathered outside Kennesaw State University, where Spain held training. Among them were children wearing hair styles modelled on Yamal’s familiar blond curls.

Those fans may still get to see him on Monday. “Lamine Yamal is ready to play a few minutes and our medical team agree on that decision. Otherwise he wouldn’t be even on the bench,” de la Fuente said.

Spain won its only World Cup in 2010, a tournament it also entered as European champion. This time, Spain and France are regarded as joint favourites for the trophy.

“This is just recognition for everything we have done to come this far,” de la Fuente said. “We are humble. We know how difficult it is to win any match and to win the World Cup.”

Cape Verde is appearing at the World Cup for the first time and is not widely expected to stun Spain. De la Fuente, however, said his squad would not take the opponent lightly.

“They might be one of the teams springing a surprise in this World Cup,” he said.