Yamal is currently recovering from a hamstring injury, putting his availability for the opener against Cape Verde in doubt. His fitness status is a major talking point, as his participation will likely affect Spain’s offensive capabilities in the tournament.
Spain’s group, consisting of Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay, is considered manageable, and the team should advance even if Yamal cannot play. However, his absence could be significantly felt in the knockout stages where the competition stiffens.
For Barcelona, Yamal’s involvement with Spain brings prestige but also workload concerns, including injury risks and recovery management. Combined with the presence of key teammates like Pedri, Spain’s core remains strong and capable of contesting for the title.