Lamine Yamal to start on the bench for Spain's World Cup opener vs. Cabo Verde

Lamine Yamal who was out from the professional outing due to hamstring injury is expected to to feature in Spain's FIFA World Cup 2026 opener against Cabo Verde, but the teenage sensation will begin the match on the bench. Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente confirmed ahead of Monday's Group H clash that the 18-year-old Barcelona star has fully recovered from the hamstring injury that sidelined him during the closing stages of the Barcelona's club season. However, Spain plan to carefully manage his workload as he returns to competitive action. "We are following the indications of the medical staff from Barcelona and the Spanish national team, along with the fitness coaches. Everything suggests that Lamine Yamal is ready to play tomorrow," De la Fuente said during his pre-match press conference. "We don't know how many minutes he will play. It will depend on how the match develops and the game situation, but he is in ideal condition to play, '' he added. Yamal is not the only key player being eased back into action. Spain have also opted to leave Nico Williams and Victor Muñoz on the bench despite both being fully fit, with the coaching staff taking a cautious approach ahead of a long tournament.

Historic Occasion for Cabo Verde

While Spain enter the match as overwhelming favourites, the occasion carries immense significance for their opponents. Cabo Verde are set to play their first-ever FIFA World Cup match when they face the reigning European champions at Atlanta Stadium on Monday. The Group H encounter marks the first senior international meeting between the two nations and represents a historic milestone for the African island nation, one of the smallest countries by population ever to qualify for the World Cup. For Spain, the tournament offers an opportunity to reaffirm their status among world football's elite. The 2026 edition marks La Roja's 17th FIFA World Cup appearance, and they arrive in North America among the leading contenders for the title after winning UEFA Euro 2024.