​Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has provided an encouraging fitness update on Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal ahead of Sunday’s highly anticipated 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina in New York.
Lamine Yamal, wearing the No. 19 shirt for Spain, was seen taking part in preparations at the Melanie Lane Training Grounds in East Hanover, New Jersey, on July 16, 2026. The Barcelona winger has been one of the standout young players of the tournament, and his availability has become a major talking point as Spain prepare to face Lionel Messi and Argentina in the biggest match in world football.
Concerns over Yamal’s fitness emerged after Spain’s dramatic semi-final victory over France. The 19-year-old was spotted limping after the match, sparking fears that he could be carrying an injury ahead of the World Cup final. Those worries increased when Yamal did not take part in Spain’s regular training session on Thursday, with reports suggesting he was dealing with some discomfort following the win over France.
However, De la Fuente has moved to calm those fears, explaining that the decision to keep Yamal out of full training was purely precautionary. According to the Spain head coach, the Barcelona forward suffered a knock during the semi-final, specifically in the incident that led to the penalty, and the coaching staff decided it was better not to take any unnecessary risks so close to the final.
“He had a knock from the last game, yes, it was a blow in the penalty play,” De la Fuente told Sport. “As a precaution, for safety, for peace of mind for him and above all because he had a slight discomfort that prevented him from training with total normality, we preferred that he do another type of work.”
The update will come as a relief to Spain supporters and Barcelona fans alike. Yamal returned to normal training on Friday, suggesting that he is on track to be available for selection against Argentina. His recovery is a major boost for Spain, who will be looking to win the World Cup for only the second time in their history.
De la Fuente also spoke about Yamal’s development and the expectations surrounding the teenager. Despite being one of the most exciting young talents in world football, the Spain coach made it clear that he believes there is still much more to come from the Barcelona star. He stressed that his comments were not criticism, but rather a reflection of the high standards within the Spanish national team.
“I expect more from everyone, not only from him, it is not a reproach, come on, it would be more than that,” De la Fuente said. “I’m very delighted with Lamine’s performance, but like everyone else, and it’s a maxim that we have in this group, every day we want to be better.”
The Spain boss went on to praise Yamal’s extraordinary potential, highlighting both his current quality and the huge room he still has to grow. “Lamine has exceptional footballing potential with a growth and a limit that nobody sees now and that is why he is the first one who wants, who demands more every day,” he added.
Yamal’s presence could prove vital in the World Cup final, especially against an Argentina side aiming to defend the title they won in 2022. Spain will need creativity, speed, and composure in attack, and Yamal has shown throughout the competition that he is capable of influencing matches at the highest level.
The final between Spain and Argentina is also set to feature a fascinating generational storyline. Lionel Messi and Argentina are chasing back-to-back World Cup triumphs, while Yamal represents the new wave of global football talent hoping to make history on the sport’s biggest stage. A strong performance from the Barcelona winger could help Spain overcome the reigning champions and secure their first World Cup title since 2010.
Spain’s preparations now appear to be back on track, with Yamal training normally and De la Fuente confident in his condition. While the coaching staff will continue to monitor him closely before kick-off, the signs are positive that the young forward will be ready for Sunday’s final.
With Spain chasing a second world crown and Argentina aiming to cement their modern legacy with consecutive titles, all eyes will be on New York this weekend. For Yamal, the World Cup final offers a chance to further enhance his growing reputation and deliver on the enormous promise that has already made him one of football’s most talked-about young stars.