Spain coach expects Yamal and Williams

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said on Tuesday he expects injured wingers Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams to be available for the World Cup in June, offering Spain a more optimistic fitness picture as the squad deadline approaches. De la Fuente made the comments while addressing concerns over two of his first-choice attackers, both of whom have been dealing with hamstring issues late in the club season. FIFA says final 26-man squad lists must be submitted by June 1. Spain open their tournament against Cabo Verde on June 15 in Atlanta. ### What exactly did De la Fuente say about Yamal and Williams? Luis de la Fuente said on May 12 that he was counting on both players to be fit and available next month, according to remarks reported by AFP. He described Yamal and Williams as important players for Spain while also stressing that the team had alternatives if needed. (rfi.fr) Yahoo Sports, citing the coach's comments, reported that De la Fuente said he hoped Yamal would be ready for Spain's first match of the tournament. The same report said Nico Williams was also sidelined with a similar muscle problem. ### Why are these two injuries such a focus for Spain? (rfi.fr) Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams have been central wide options for Spain, and both were expected to play major roles at the World Cup if fit. Recent reports around the team have focused on whether either player would be ready in time after missing the end of the domestic season. (sports.yahoo.com) Barcelona coach Hansi Flick also gave an upbeat assessment on Yamal's recovery, according to a recent report, saying the player was focused on arriving at the World Cup in top condition. That added to the broader expectation around Spain that Yamal's absence would be temporary rather than tournament-ending. (rfi.fr) ### How much time does Spain have before the squad must be finalized? FIFA said in guidance published on May 6 that teams can name between 23 and 26 players in their final World Cup squads, and that final rosters must be submitted by June 1. FIFA also said each federation had to provide a preliminary list before the final deadline. (msn.com) De la Fuente said Spain's final list would contain 26 players, AFP reported. He also said additional players would be involved for a June 4 friendly against Iraq, suggesting Spain could keep a wider working group together as fitness questions are resolved. (fifa.com) ### When and where does Spain begin its World Cup? FIFA's match center lists Spain's opening game against Cabo Verde for June 15 in Atlanta. The official fixture page says kickoff is scheduled for 16:00 local time at Atlanta Stadium. The Royal Spanish Football Federation has also published Spain's group-stage schedule, saying the team will begin against Cabo Verde on June 15. (rfi.fr) That gives De la Fuente less than two weeks between the June 1 squad deadline and Spain's first match. ### What does this mean for Spain's immediate squad planning? (fifa.com) June 1 is the key date for De la Fuente because FIFA will require Spain's final roster by then, even if some players are still completing recovery work. His comments indicate he is planning on Yamal and Williams being part of that group rather than preparing publicly for their absence. (rfef.es) June 4 is Spain's scheduled friendly against Iraq, according to De la Fuente's remarks reported by AFP, and June 15 is the team's World Cup opener against Cabo Verde in Atlanta. Those are the next two concrete checkpoints as Spain moves from injury management to final tournament selection. (rfi.fr) (fifa.com)