Overview
- Yamal tore his left hamstring on April 22 while playing for Barcelona and missed the rest of the club season.
- Spain included the 18‑year‑old in the final 26‑man World Cup roster and officially gave him the No.19 shirt when squad numbers were announced on June 2.
- Coach Luis de la Fuente said injured players will skip immediate warm‑up friendlies and that Yamal could be ready for the opener on June 15 if his recovery continues as planned, but any playing time is not guaranteed.
- Barcelona and Spain medical staff are coordinating a conservative, non‑surgical rehab and load‑management plan to avoid relapse and to build Yamal back into team training gradually.
- Yamal’s expected return matters beyond one match because his creativity and goalscoring made him a central figure for Barcelona and Spain in 2025–26, so his availability will influence tactical choices and minutes for other attackers.