Yamal and Williams start on bench for Spain's World Cup opener against Cape Verde
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 14, 2026, 9:26 PM
Last updated Jun 14, 2026
Spain begins its World Cup campaign against Cape Verde on June 14 without Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams in the starting lineup. Coach Luis de la Fuente confirmed both players are fit but will start on the bench due to injury recovery. Spain faces Cape Verde, a newcomer to the tournament, and also has matches against Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in Group H. De la Fuente praised Cape Verde's tactical structure and warned that the match will not be easy for the European champions.
- •Spain plays Cape Verde in their World Cup opener today.
- •Lamine Yamal is fit but will not start the match.
- •Nico Williams also begins on the bench due to fitness concerns.
- •Spain will face Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in Group H later.
- •De la Fuente emphasized Cape Verde will present a tough challenge.
- 9:26 PMYahoo Sports — Yamal not in Spain's World Cup starting XI against Cape Verde
- 9:25 PMYahoo Sports — Yamal fit but will not start Spain's World Cup opener, says De la Fuente
"Spain will open their World Cup campaign without star forward Lamine Yamal and winger Nico Williams in the starting XI against Cape Verde on Monday, coach Luis de la Fuente has said. De La Fuente said on Sunday that he will decide based on the course of the match whether the two players coming off injuries will come on to get some minutes for the European champions.
"Spain coach Luis de la Fuente confirmed that Lamine Yamal is fit but will begin the European champions' World Cup opener against Cape Verde on the bench.If it was not like that they would not even sit on the bench," added De la Fuente.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 14, 2026, 9:26 PMYamal not in Spain's World Cup starting XI against Cape Verde
Spain will open their World Cup campaign without star forward Lamine Yamal and winger Nico Williams in the starting XI against Cape Verde on Monday, coach Luis de la Fuente has said. De La Fuente said on Sunday that he will decide based on the course of the match whether the two players coming off injuries will come on to get some minutes for the European champions.
- Yahoo SportsJun 14, 2026, 9:25 PMYamal fit but will not start Spain's World Cup opener, says De la Fuente
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente confirmed that Lamine Yamal is fit but will begin the European champions' World Cup opener against Cape Verde on the bench.If it was not like that they would not even sit on the bench," added De la Fuente.
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