Barcelona clear Lamine Yamal to play for Spain at World Cup 2026 but set conditions after hamstring injury

Barcelona have reportedly given Spain the green light to use Lamine Yamal from the start of World Cup 2026 but have set La Roja a number of conditions.

Yamal missed the end of the season due to a hamstring injury but is close to a comeback. Manager Luis de la Fuente has said he’s likely to be fit for Spain’s first game but has hinted he may not be risked just yet.

According to AS, Barcelona have advised Spain only to use Yamal for 15 minutes at the most in their opening game against Cape Verde.

If there are no setbacks after that game, Barcelona recommend that Yamal play between 45 and 60 minutes against Saudi Arabia and then say he could be ready to start in their group final match against Uruguay.

Physio Fernando Galán, who is on Spain’s medical team and also works with Barca, has been keeping a close eye on Yamal throughout his recovery process and reporting back to the club about his progress.

Spain’s final warm-up game is on Tuesday against Peru. The real thing begins in earnest for La Roja on June 15th.