Lamine Yamal Fit but Unlikely to Start as Spain Open FIFA World Cup Campaign

Spain manager Luis de la Fuente said that Lamine Yamal is fully fit and progressing well in his recovery.

He explained that Yamal, along with other players who had minor injury concerns, has been training well and is available for selection.

However, De la Fuente indicated that these players are unlikely to start the match and may instead be used later in the game.

Yamal has not played since April, as the 18-year-old struggled with groin issues and a hamstring injury.

European champions Spain will begin their World Cup campaign against Cape Verde at Atlanta Stadium in Georgia on Monday night. Saudi Arabia and Uruguay are also in this group.

"The good news is that Lamine is very fit. He's following the set process, and he's in good shape, he's training very well, just like his other colleagues who had some sort of injury. They're all available, and they won't be able to play from the start of the match," De la Fuente told reporters as per Reuters.

Spain, the reigning European champions and 2010 FIFA World Cup winner, enters the tournament as one of the leading favourites to lift the trophy once again.

(With inputs from ANI)