Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has expressed confidence that injured wingers Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, and Victor Munoz will recover in time for Spain's FIFA World Cup 2026 opener against Cabo Verde in Atlanta on 15 June. De la Fuente made the assessment ahead of Spain's pre-tournament friendly against Peru in Puebla, Mexico — the squad's final preparatory match before the World Cup begins.

Injury Status of the Three Wingers

Yamal and Williams are managing hamstring problems, while Munoz is dealing with a calf strain. All three were left behind at Spain's base in Chattanooga, Tennessee to continue their individual recovery programmes rather than travel to Puebla for the friendly.

De la Fuente stressed that each player's injury timeline was distinct. 'Each one had their own process. Lamine's injury was different, as was its duration. But the most important thing is that, within the expected timeframe, he's currently fit to be included in the squad,' the coach said. He added that the trio were 'meeting their recovery deadlines' and were due for 'more specific work' in the days ahead.

Spain's Preparation and Base Camp

Spain arrived in the United States on Saturday after flying from Santiago de Compostela to Nashville, before moving on to Baylor School in Chattanooga — the squad's designated base for the tournament. The trip to the US came after a 1-1 draw against Iraq last Thursday, a result De la Fuente acknowledged was played with a less familiar lineup.

The Peru friendly in Puebla was described by the coach as an opportunity to field a more recognisable starting eleven and make final tactical adjustments. 'I have a plan for how to start the World Cup if there are no adverse circumstances. Football can always surprise you, but I won't reveal the lineup,' De la Fuente said.

Cover Options if Injuries Persist

All three absentees are natural wide players, and their simultaneous injury concern has raised questions about Spain's attacking depth on the flanks. De la Fuente, however, played down the risk. 'We have other options. There are different styles, and we'll see how the week goes,' he said, suggesting the squad has sufficient versatility to cope if any of the three miss the opener.

Notably, Spain's opening group-stage fixture against Cabo Verde on 15 June in Atlanta is considered a winnable match, giving the coaching staff some margin. How the next seven days unfold — particularly Yamal's readiness — could shape Spain's tactical shape from the first whistle of their World Cup campaign.

What to Watch Before 15 June

The Peru friendly will offer the clearest signal yet of Spain's preferred XI and tactical approach. Should Yamal, Williams, and Munoz all clear their fitness tests, Spain would enter the tournament with arguably their strongest attacking unit intact. A setback for any of the three would force De la Fuente to reconfigure his wide options ahead of what is expected to be a competitive group stage.