Lamine Yamal says he is not yet ready for a full match against Saudi Arabia

Spain will meet Saudi Arabia in two days in its second 2026 World Cup match, looking for its first win after a disappointing 0-0 draw with Cape Verde in the opening round. Spain came into the tournament regarded as one of the favorites to win the title.

Lamine Yamal played 19 minutes in the first game, as he continues recovering from a muscle injury that has affected him for the past two months. There had been hope that the young Spanish star would be fully fit in time for the second match.

In an interview in Spain, Yamal said he is available for whatever his coach asks, but not ready for a full appearance. “I am ready for any task the coach gives me, but I am still not ready for a full match,” he said. “I feel good, but I have not played for a very long time. Being fit does not mean I will play. The coach decides, I am just ready.”

He added that it is too soon for him to return to full activity and play 90 minutes. “I am going through a process of getting used to the situation, and it is not easy to do that while also completing 90 minutes on the pitch,” Yamal said. “It is unnecessary,” he concluded.