Spain entered the 2026 FIFA World Cup looking like one of the most dangerous teams in the entire tournament.
Now, they may have to start the tournament without their most electric player.
Lamine Yamal is reportedly expected to miss Spain’s World Cup opener against Cape Verde on June 15 as he continues recovering from a hamstring injury. He is also considered a doubt for Spain’s second group match against Saudi Arabia, which immediately turns a manageable group stage into something much more stressful for Luis de la Fuente’s side.
That is a massive blow.
Yamal is not just some young prospect anymore. He is one of Spain’s most important attacking weapons, and at just 18 years old, he already plays with the confidence of a superstar. His ability to beat defenders one-on-one, create chances out wide, and completely change the rhythm of a match is exactly what makes Spain so dangerous.
Without him, Spain still has talent. They are still one of the favorites. But there is a difference between being good and having a player who can terrify an entire back line every time he touches the ball.
Yamal gives Spain that fear factor.
The injury concern also comes at a bad time because Barcelona teammate Fermin Lopez suffered a fractured fifth metatarsal and is set for surgery, putting his own World Cup status in doubt. For a Spain team loaded with young talent, these injuries are starting to pile up at the worst possible moment.
The good news for Spain is that this does not sound like a tournament-ending situation for Yamal. Reports have suggested Spain and Barcelona are monitoring his recovery closely, with hope that he can return later in the group stage or at least be fully available once the knockout rounds begin.
But that is still risky.
The World Cup is not a tournament where teams can sleepwalk through the opening games. One bad result can completely change the path. Spain should still beat Cape Verde without Yamal, but if he also misses Saudi Arabia, the pressure starts to build before a tougher group finale against Uruguay.
For Spain, the goal is simple: survive the early matches, do not rush him back, and make sure Yamal is healthy when the real tournament begins.
Because if Spain wants to win its first World Cup since 2010, it probably needs Lamine Yamal healthy, explosive, and ready to take over games.
