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The 2026 World Cup should be another waypoint on Lamine Yamal’s path to becoming a generation-defining superstar, but there is the real threat that injury could deprive the tournament of one of its biggest names.
The Spanish prodigy made everyone sit up and take notice at Euro 2024, and two years on, the 18-year-old seemed ready to grab the limelight again. But instead it may well be a waiting game.
Yamal suffered an untimely hamstring injury during the run-up to what was another title-winning La Liga campaign for Barcelona’s teenage sensation. Something that looked innocent actually turned out to be far more sinister, putting his involvement at the World Cup in jeopardy.
So there will have been widespread relief when the winger was included in Luis de la Fuente’s 26-man Spain squad for the upcoming tournament, but the level of influence he will be able to have is still shrouded in uncertainty.
La Roja will be desperate to call on their attacking talisman as the competition heats up, but will the World Cup come too soon for us to witness one of the show’s potential stars at his unstoppable best?
Postponed in April
It was an innocent moment that has cast doubt on Yamal’s suitability for the World Cup; seconds after converting what turned out to be the winning goal from the penalty spot against Celta Vigo on April 22, the winger signaled to the bench and went to ground as his teammates’ cheers quickly turned to concern.
He has not played since, with reports at the time claiming Barça feared he had torn his left hamstring. That would require a recovery timeline of up to eight weeks, with no guarantee he would be match fit after that. However, the Blaugrana insisted he would be ready for the World Cup, a reflection of Yamal’s importance to Spain’s cause.
The club said at the time: “Tests have confirmed that first-team player Lamine Yamal has suffered a hamstring injury in his left leg. The player will follow a conservative treatment plan. He will miss the remainder of the league season but is expected to be available for the World Cup.” It was echoed by his club manager Hansi Flick.
Damage hit campaign
This was the latest setback in what has been an injury-plagued season for the teenager, despite his tender years.
Yamal was also sidelined for five games at the very start of the campaign due to pubalgia – the chronic groin problem that also hampered Chelsea talisman Cole Palmer for most of 2025-26.
Often called a sports hernia, the injury usually affects athletes who make explosive twists and turns, like speedy wing players. Younger players who have recently made the transition to first-team football may also be more susceptible.
Yamal was actually at the center of a club vs. country dispute back in September after he aggravated the problem while on international duty with Spain, who were accused of not ‘taking care’ of the winger. He was subsequently held back from the November camp. Barca will not have a repeat, not even at the World Cup.
Positive update
There was a significant update on Yamal’s latest injury at the end of May when he shared a video of himself back on the grass already working with the ball at Barcelona’s training base. As if to answer questions about how sharp he could be, the footage shows the striker brazenly heel-flipping the ball over a training dummy before laying it down.
The move came two days after Yamal was predictably named in Spain’s World Cup squad despite doubts over his fitness, and with almost three weeks to go until La Roja begin their campaign against Cape Verde on June 15.
Mixed messages
World Cup history is littered with instances of managers playing on unsuitable big-name players, and Yamal appears to be one of the most high-profile risks in recent times. It has been reported that he could still be out until the third and final game of the group stage in North America, which comes against Uruguay on June 27.
According to Mundo Deportivothere has been constant dialogue between Barcelona and the Spanish federation’s doctors, who have reached an agreement that the teenager should not be risked in his country’s opening two games in the tournament. However, Spain boss De la Fuente had previously suggested he expects Yamal and others to be available from the start.
“I think we’re getting Lamine, Nico [Williams]and Michael [Merino] available for the first World Cup game and if not, we will have them for the second or third. It doesn’t cause major problems,” he told a press conference. “The injuries put us under pressure. Any injuries that occur now, even minor injuries, are difficult to recover from.”
Not required?
Exactly how much of a blow Yamal’s long absence would be remains to be seen. Spain should still be confident of emerging as winners of Group H without their prodigy and with some degree of comfort too.
The European champions have been handed an advantageous group stage draw, taking on Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia before the relatively tougher test against Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay, where Yamal should be fit enough to play a role.
There should be enough cover in the squad for La Roja to manage without him initially; Versatile Crystal Palace striker Yeremy Pino could be asked to deputize on the right, while Osasuna’s Victor Munoz can also operate on that flank.
However, the situation is muddied by the fact that left winger Nico Williams is only just returning from his own hamstring problem, although Spain should still have enough in their attacking arsenal to survive without their starting wingers.
De la Fuente has selected plenty of players who can cover multiple positions, including Alex Baena of Atlético Madrid and Real Sociedad’s Mikel Oyarzabal.
Difference maker
However, Spain will definitely want Yamal back in action for the knockout rounds. They will most likely face the runners-up from Group J in the last 32, meaning a stern test against either Austria or Algeria unless Argentina slip up to stage a history-book reunion with Lionel Messi.
Croatia or Colombia would probably wait in the round of 16, before a quarter-final against perennial dark horses Belgium. The odds are that De la Fuente’s men will then face France in a huge semi-final before potentially taking on England in the showpiece.
They may have the depth to get by without him initially, but a difference-maker of Yamal’s caliber will be absolutely critical to their chances of success when the competition starts to heat up after the group stage. He already proved as much at Euro 2024; after a rather quiet start to the tournament, the youngster provided assists in the last 16, quarter-finals
De la Fuente has even hinted that Yamal could be used as a big replacement if he is not fully fit. “In a call we consider all the scenarios. If you win, if you lose, if the opponent is left with 10… There are players who can give you 20 minutes and that has huge value too,” he told Sport in April.
“There are players who might not be able to give you 50 or 60 minutes, but they can give you 20 very good ones. And that can be a difference. There are players who can come in just right and be decisive in the knockout rounds. Our priority is to arrive with the best possible team at the decisive moment.”
Why we see
The viewing world will be desperate for Yamal to return to full fitness as soon as possible as well. Entertainers like the Barcelona sensation are the reason millions around the world tune in to watch the World Cup, and it would be a crying shame if the tournament was deprived of one of its potential superstars for too long, or if he isn’t quite fit when he eventually returns.
With his dazzling dribbling ability, trickery and penchant for delivering seismic, game-changing moments, Yamal is capable of creating countless iconic moments on his own.
“He’s incredibly excited. He’s incredibly eager. He’s very young but very mature,” De la Fuente shared RTVE recently. “And he knows this is his moment. And in life, you have to take your chances.
“You never know how you’ll be at the next World Cup. And this is Lamine Yamal’s moment. He’s very good and he’ll only get better as his teammates help him perform at his best.”
Yamal doesn’t turn 19 until six days before the final, but this is the teenager’s chance to establish himself as the most naturally gifted player on the planet with the eyes of the world on him. He will be determined that injuries do not mean that golden opportunity passes him by.
2026 FIFA World Cup: How to watch
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Spread over three countries, the tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 at the New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 tournament games will be broadcast live across FOX (70) and FS1 (34) with every game streaming live and on-demand on both FOX One and the FOX Sports app. A record 40 games, more than a third of the tournament, are televised in prime time across FOX (21) and FS1 (19).
The June 11 opener between Mexico and South Africa (3 p.m. ET) will stream for free on Tubi, as will the USA’s June 12 opener against Paraguay (9 p.m. ET).
