Spain is breathing a sigh of relief as updates on Lamine Yamal's fitness emerge ahead of their World Cup opener. The talented 18-year-old, who has been sidelined since mid-April due to a hamstring tear sustained during a 1-0 victory against Celta Vigo, is on track to return just in time.

Initially, Yamal was projected to miss six to eight weeks, raising concerns about his availability for the opening matches against Cape Verde on June 15 and Saudi Arabia on June 21. However, optimism surrounds his recovery, with indications that he will be fit for the first game.

Barcelona has expressed concerns over Yamal's eagerness to play, fearing it poses unnecessary risks. Despite this, he is expected to see limited minutes off the bench against Cape Verde. In the following match against Saudi Arabia, Yamal is anticipated to play a more significant role, aiming to be fully fit for their crucial group stage match against Uruguay.

Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has shared his confidence regarding Yamal's fitness. In an interview with Cadena SER, he stated, "Nico [Williams], Lamine and Víctor [Munoz] are meeting their recovery deadlines, they are doing very well… If there are no problems in the next few days, we expect them to be ready for the 15th." This positive outlook boosts Spain's chances as they prepare for the tournament.