Spain will face Iraq in A Coruña without teenage winger Lamine Yamal as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury sustained late in Barcelona’s title-winning La Liga campaign. Yamal will also miss the friendly with Peru on June 9 but remains on course to be available, possibly for limited minutes, for Spain’s World Cup opener against Cabo Verde on June 15.
Yamal ruled out of Spain vs Iraq friendly as fitness work continues
Spain will be without Lamine Yamal for Thursday’s friendly against Iraq as the 16-year-old continues to nurse a hamstring problem picked up while taking a penalty late in Barcelona’s season. Coach Luis de la Fuente has left Yamal out of the squad for A Coruña and confirmed the winger will also miss the June 9 friendly with Peru.
Immediate context: warm-ups and World Cup preparations
This friendly is the first in Spain’s final pre-tournament schedule before the 2026 World Cup, and missing a player of Yamal’s profile is a setback for match-sharpness rather than selection. Spain are defending European champions and among the favorites heading into the tournament, and these friendlies are designed to fine-tune rhythm, minutes and tactical cohesion.
Injury details and recovery timeline
Yamal sustained the hamstring injury on April 22 while taking a penalty for Barcelona and was sidelined for the closing weeks of La Liga. After roughly six weeks of recovery he remains short of full match fitness. De la Fuente expects the winger could be available in some capacity for Spain’s World Cup opener against debutants Cabo Verde on June 15 — possibly as a late substitute or for training minutes — but the coaching staff will manage his minutes carefully.
Squad implications: who fills the void?
Spain will also be missing other forwards in the Iraq friendly, with Athletic’s Nico Williams and Osasuna’s Víctor Muñoz unavailable. That compresses options on the wings for the warm-ups and increases the value of Spain’s experienced attacking depth. The coaching staff must balance protecting Yamal’s long-term fitness with preserving momentum for the team’s wide play and pressing game.
What this means for Spain’s World Cup campaign
Losing Yamal for warm-ups is not catastrophic but it is consequential. The teenager brings unique tempo, dribbling and unpredictability on the flank; his gradual reintroduction is likely to be staged to avoid setback. If Spain manages his minutes well against Cabo Verde and in the group stage matches with Saudi Arabia and Uruguay, they can still harness his quality deeper in the tournament when matches intensify.
What to watch in the friendly vs Iraq
Expect Spain to use the Iraq friendly to test tactical balance without Yamal and to give game time to alternatives on the wings and in advanced midfield roles. Fitness markers, pressing intensity and transitional speed will be the key metrics for de la Fuente to judge readiness. Iraq will provide a firm but manageable test to assess squad rotation and match sharpness.
Bottom line
Yamal’s absence underlines the tightrope teams walk when a generational talent is banged up before a major tournament. Spain’s priority is clear: protect the player’s long-term availability and integrate him when he can contribute meaningfully.
Scotland's record vs Brazil at the World Cup
If the coaching staff resists rushing him back, Spain still have the tactical resources to start the World Cup strongly and aim for a deep run.
Si
