Spain World Cup Opener: Yamal And Williams Could Start, De La Fuente Says

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente expects Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams to feature when Spain open their World Cup campaign against Cape Verde on 15 June, provided preparations stay on track. De la Fuente also plans to have Victor Munoz ready, with all three moving closer to full fitness.

Yamal is recovering from a hamstring injury suffered in April, which ruled the winger out of Barcelona’s final six LaLiga matches. Williams picked up a muscle problem in early May and missed Athletic Club’s last three league fixtures, while Munoz has also been managed carefully in recent days.

Rather than flying to Mexico for Monday’s friendly against Peru, Yamal, Williams and Munoz are staying at Spain’s training base in Tennessee. Spain drew 1-1 with Iraq on Thursday, and De la Fuente is now using the time in the United States to fine-tune fitness and tactical details before Group H starts.

With seven days left before the European champions face Cape Verde, De la Fuente sounds confident about the availability of the three attackers. “If there are no setbacks in the coming days, we expect them to be available on the 15th,” De la Fuente told reporters. “I think all three will be in a position to play.”

The head coach stressed that the medical plan is progressing as intended and that he already has a clear idea of his opening line-up. “The most important thing is that those timelines are being met and will continue to be met, so they can be with us and be available to be selected at some point in the match. I have in my head how to start the World Cup if there are no adverse circumstances. Football can always surprise you, but I won’t tell you our lineup.”

Spain are aiming to become the fourth national team to hold the European Championship and World Cup at the same time. West Germany, France and Spain have previously done this, and De la Fuente’s squad want to add another joint reign to Spain’s record.

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Spain’s 2010 World Cup victory remains the country’s only run beyond the quarter-finals in the last 14 World Cup appearances. Recent tournament form has also been modest, with Spain winning just one of their last six matches at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, drawing four and losing once.

Spain World Cup camp dynamics and Gavi incident

Attention in the Spain camp also turned to training intensity after footage on Sunday appeared online showing Gavi catching Rodri with a late challenge. Rodri landed awkwardly after Gavi trod on an ankle, leading to criticism of the Barcelona midfielder’s aggressive style from some observers.

De la Fuente moved quickly to play down any suggestion of conflict between the two players and praised Gavi’s character. “This is football, it’s training. The players give everything and no one has to apologise. Everything is perfect,” he insisted. “Gavi has energy, impetus, and that is one of his virtues. He has to ration the energy, but I want this Gavi in my team, without any doubt.”

As Spain complete preparations in Tennessee, the coaching staff balance injury management, tactical work and squad harmony. The availability of Yamal, Williams and Munoz for the Cape Verde match, together with firm backing for Gavi after the Rodri incident, leaves De la Fuente’s group focused on starting the World Cup with a settled plan.