Will Lamine Yamal play World Cup 2026? What hamstring injury means for Barcelona, Spain star originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
This summer, the greatest superstars from around the football world will meet for one month-long tournament across North America as the 2026 FIFA World Cup convenes in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Fresh off their title two years ago at Euro 2024, Spain are expected to be one of the top contenders to win the competition, led by their 18-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal.
However, La Roja had a scare when the youngster pulled up lame in a Barcelona match in mid-April, anxiously awaiting test results to make sure his muscle injury wasn't bad enough to keep him out of the World Cup altogether.
The Sporting News explains the diagnosis from that injury and Lamine Yamal's prospects of playing at the World Cup.
MORE:More details regarding Lamine Yamal's hamstring injury
It is expected that Lamine Yamal WILL play at the World Cup.
According to the official Barcelona release on April 23, the 18-year-old "will miss the remainder of the league season but is expected to be available for the World Cup."
While he will require some ramp-up to return from his injury and may not be fully fit for action right away at the start of the World Cup, he should be fit to carry Spain through most of the competition as long as he does not suffer a recurrence of the hamstring strain.
Lamine Yamal has a hamstring injury in his left leg.
The Barcelona youngster injured himself scoring a penalty in the 1-0 win over Celta Vigo on April 22, immediately putting his hand up after converting from the spot to indicate he required treatment.
He was withdrawn in the 45th minute, just before halftime, while the game was in a delay due to a medical emergency in the stands.
In an Instagram post on April 23, Lamine Yamal said: "This injury has sidelined me at the very moment I most wanted to be on the pitch, and it hurts more than I can say.
"It hurts not being able to fight alongside my teammates, not being able to help when the team needs me. But I believe in them and I know they'll give their all in every match.
"I'll be there, even though it's from the sidelines, supporting, cheering and pushing them on, like any other fan. This isn't the end, it's just a break. I'll come back stronger, more determined than ever, and next season will be even better."
Given the length of time he is expected to miss and when he is thought likely to return, it is probable that he has suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain, although Barca did not confirm the severity of the injury.
This level of strain usually comes with a recovery timeline of four to six weeks on the sideline.
Therefore, Lamine Yamal is likely to return to full fitness just as the Spain national team is set to convene for its pre-World Cup camp.
Most teams are set to contest one match in late May before traveling to the United States to play another in early June. Spain are confirmed to be playing a friendly against Peru at Estadio Cuauhtemoc in Puebla, Mexico, on June 8.
Spain were drawn into Group H, set to play their first game on Monday, June 12 against Cape Verde in Atlanta, Georgia.