Get you up to speed: Spain’s Yamal says ‘very early, unnecessary’ to play full World Cup match
Lamine Yamal has stated that he is not ready to play a full match for Spain against Saudi Arabia due to his ongoing recovery from a hamstring injury. Spain’s head coach Luis de la Fuente confirmed Yamal can participate for “an hour” during the World Cup game in Atlanta.
Spain’s coach Luis de la Fuente stated that Lamine Yamal will likely be able to play up to an hour in the upcoming match against Saudi Arabia. Yamal returned to the squad after a hamstring injury, but Spain has struggled historically at World Cups, not advancing past the last 16 since 2010.
Lamine Yamal expressed reservations about playing a full match for Spain against Saudi Arabia, stating, “It’s very early, it’s unnecessary,” as he continues recovering from a hamstring injury. Coach Luis de la Fuente indicated that Yamal would be fit to play “an hour” in the upcoming match after making a brief substitute appearance against Cape Verde.
What remains unclear — It is not confirmed how many minutes Lamine Yamal will be able to play in the match against Saudi Arabia.
Spain’s Yamal believes it is too early to play full match in World Cup
Sport|World Cup 2026Spain’s Yamal says ‘very early, unnecessary’ to play full World Cup match
‘It’s not the time to play a whole match,’ Lamine Yamal said ahead of Spain’s match against Saudi Arabia.
Published On 19 Jun 202619 Jun 2026
Spain star Lamine Yamal says it is “too soon” for him to play a full 90 minutes as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury, ahead of the European champions’ World Cup game against Saudi Arabia.
“It’s very early, it’s unnecessary,” the 18-year-old said on Friday.
“It’s not the time to play a whole match, but I can play whatever minutes the coach wants,” he told Spanish public broadcaster RTVE about his readiness to play an entire game.
Luis de la Fuente’s men were held to a surprise goalless draw by debutants Cape Verde in their Group H opener and will be hoping to get up and running on Sunday when they face the Saudis.
On Monday, Barcelona winger Yamal made his first appearance since suffering the injury in mid-April, coming on as a 71st-minute substitute against Cape Verde.
Coach De la Fuente told Radio Cope on Thursday that Yamal would be able to play “an hour” this weekend in Atlanta.
Yamal could not inspire his teammates in the closing stages against a dogged Cape Verde, but his Barcelona teammate Pau Cabarsi backed him to deliver at the tournament.
“We already know Lamine’s qualities,” Cabarsi said Friday.
“Whether he comes on or not, he’ll help us as much as possible – but I think whoever plays in his place will do just as well.”
Spain were the pre-tournament title favourites, but they have not got past the last 16 at a World Cup since lifting the trophy for the first time in 2010.