Lamine Yamal is expected to be passed fit to face Argentina in Sunday's World Cup final, easing concerns after the Barcelona star missed a training session. Yamal took a heavy knock in the semi-final win over France and was seen sitting out practice, but the Spanish camp is confident he will start.
Injury Concerns for Yamal and Porro
Tottenham right-back Pedro Porro also missed the same training session due to what Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente described as “muscle tightness.” However, both players are anticipated to be available for the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Yamal has been carefully managed this season after a hamstring injury and groin surgery. He reported “aches and pains” following physical battles with France left-backs Lucas Digne and Theo Hernandez in Dallas.
Spain's Clean Bill of Health
Apart from the minor concerns over Yamal and Porro, Spain has a fully fit squad as they aim to dethrone defending champions Argentina. The reigning European champions are seeking their second World Cup crown, the first since 2010 in South Africa.
De la Fuente is unlikely to change the side that confidently defeated tournament favorites France. The same starting XI from the quarter-final win over Belgium and the semi-final is expected to take the field.
Predicted Lineup and Key Decisions
Fabian Ruiz is expected to partner Rodri in midfield, with Pedri remaining on the bench. That selection decision has been a talking point throughout the tournament. Unai Simon remains the undisputed number one goalkeeper, ahead of David Raya and Joan Garcia.
The defense features Pau Cubarsi and Aymeric Laporte as center-backs, with Porro and Marc Cucurella as full-backs. In attack, Yamal, Dani Olmo, and Alex Baena support lone striker Mikel Oyarzabal. Baena has kept his place ahead of Nico Williams, who has been coming off the bench after injury.
Strong Bench Options
De la Fuente has strong substitutes available, including Pedri, Williams, Mikel Merino, and Ferran Torres. Spain's predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): Simon; Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Ruiz; Yamal, Olmo, Baena; Oyarzabal.
The match kicks off at 8pm BST on Sunday July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, and will be broadcast on BBC and ITV.
