Barcelona: Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has been recalled to the Spain national team for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers after missing last month’s fixtures due to injury.
The 18-year-old winger had been sidelined with a groin problem, forcing him to miss Spain’s previous matches against Georgia and Bulgaria. However, after recovering and returning to club action with Barcelona, Yamal is now fit and ready to feature in Spain’s fixtures against Georgia on November 15 in Tbilisi and Turkey on November 18 in Seville.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente included Yamal in the 26-man squad announced on Friday, marking the teenager’s return to international football after a brief injury layoff.
Midfielder Fabián Ruiz of Paris Saint-Germain also returns to the squad, having recovered from a leg injury sustained in PSG’s 2–1 Champions League victory over Barcelona in early October.
Spain currently sit top of Group E, closing in on automatic qualification for next year’s FIFA World Cup.
However, De la Fuente will have to cope without several key players. Pedri remains unavailable due to injury, while Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), and Robin Le Normand (Atletico Madrid) have also been ruled out.
Spain Squad for November World Cup Qualifiers
Goalkeepers: Unai Simón, Álex Remiro, David Raya
Defenders: Aymeric Laporte, Dani Vivian, Alejandro Grimaldo, Marcos Llorente, Marc Cucurella, Pau Cubarsí, Dean Huijsen, Pedro Porro
Midfielders: Fabián Ruiz, Martín Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, Aleix García, Pablo Barrios, Álex Baena, Pablo Fornals
Forwards: Mikel Oyarzabal, Yeremy Pino, Dani Olmo, Fermín López, Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, Samu Aghehowa, Borja Iglesias
Coach’s Focus on Youth and Recovery
De la Fuente’s squad blends experience with youth, as he continues to rely on emerging talents like Yamal, Fermín López, and Pau Cubarsí. With Spain eyeing a strong finish in Group E, the coach’s challenge will be maintaining momentum amid key absences.
