Spain’s national team coach, Luis de la Fuente, announced his squad for the upcoming matches against Georgia and Turkey in the final two rounds of the European qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
The squad includes the return of Lamine Yamal to La Roja after he missed the last international break due to injury.
According to the newspaper “Sport,” Barcelona officials are concerned about Yamal’s inclusion, fearing that it will place additional physical strain on him, potentially leading to a recurrence of his groin injury and a prolonged absence from the pitch.
At the same time, De la Fuente insisted on calling up Yamal after seeing him play well and pain-free against Club Brugge, considering him a valuable asset who should be relied upon in the two crucial upcoming matches for the Spanish national team, despite Barcelona’s objections.
The Spanish coach wants to avoid appearing weak in the face of club pressure, especially since this wouldn’t absolve him of responsibility if the national team fails to achieve its goals. He also wants to emphasize that, by virtue of his position, he alone decides whether a player needs rest or not.
Furthermore, De la Fuente doesn’t see himself as responsible for the recent injuries to Yamal and Nico Williams. He believes that the pressure of matches makes injuries highly predictable, and he doesn’t object to speaking with clubs, but without exerting pressure.
Generally speaking, De la Fuente plans to rely on Yamal specifically in the match against Georgia. If Spain wins, the European champions will secure their qualification for the 2026 World Cup, and the coach will then rest the 18-year-old in the final match against Türkiye.
