7M - Lamine Yamal Feared Missing The 2026 World Cup

Spain winger Lamine Yamal admitted he feared missing the 2026 FIFA World Cup after sustaining a season-ending hamstring injury with Barcelona in April. The 18-year-old picked up the issue on April 22 while scoring a penalty during a 1-0 victory over Celta Vigo, subsequently missing the final six matches of Barcelona's La Liga title-winning campaign.

In an interview published by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Yamal revealed he was praying the injury was just a cramp because he knew hamstring recoveries take time. He noted his primary fear was a serious problem or a sudden relapse that would force him out of the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Despite these concerns, Yamal was selected for Luis de la Fuente's 26-man Spain squad. The national team coach expects the teenage sensation to recover in time to feature in one of Spain's opening Group H fixtures against either Cape Verde on June 15 or Saudi Arabia on June 21.

The reigning European champions enter the tournament with high expectations, aiming to give everything they have as they transition from continental success to the global stage.