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Fermín López came through surgery successfully on Tuesday, ruling the Barcelona and Spain attacking midfielder out of the 2026 World Cup.
The 23-year-old enjoyed the finest campaign of his career in 2025–26, racking up 30 goal contributions for Barcelona and cementing himself as a near-certain inclusion in Luis de la Fuente's Spain World Cup roster.
However, everything changed during Barcelona's second-to-last match of the season against Real Betis, when López was forced off at the break with an injury that shattered his World Cup hopes. Three days after that, the young Spaniard went into the operating room to begin his road to recovery.
"The surgery went well and I'm already focused on coming back stronger, both physically and mentally," López posted on social media after his operation. "Life and football can be cruel when you least expect or deserve it, but you have to accept that it's all part of the journey.
"This is an incredibly difficult moment for me and yet another challenge in my career that I will get through — don't doubt that for a second."
What Injury Does Fermín López Have?
López sustained a fracture to the fifth metatarsal in his right foot during the match against Real Betis. Concerns that surgery would be unavoidable surfaced almost immediately after the injury was confirmed.
Having dealt with hamstring troubles at the beginning of the season, López had remained fully fit throughout all of 2026, standing apart from several Barcelona players who battled fitness concerns during the crucial stretch of the campaign. Now, it is López himself who has been struck down by injury at the most unfortunate time.
Barcelona issued a statement on Tuesday confirming that López's surgery had gone smoothly, though they stopped short of providing a specific recovery timeline, noting only that "the player's recovery will depend on his evolution."
Nevertheless, other sources have shed light on the expected timeframe for López's return.
When Will Fermín López Return From Injury?
According to SPORT, López is anticipated to be sidelined for two to three months as he recuperates from the procedure. The attacking midfielder will use the summer to work toward regaining full fitness ahead of the 2026–27 campaign.
The projected timeline eliminates him from World Cup contention, though in the best-case scenario he could be available for the start of Barcelona's preseason in late July.
Should López's recovery stretch closer to three months, he would be in a race against time to be fit for the opening of the La Liga season, which is expected to begin in mid-August, subject to an official confirmation.
Barcelona have adequate cover for López's absence, with Dani Olmo, Gavi, and even wide forwards Raphinha and Lamine Yamal — who sent words of support to López following his injury — all capable of operating in the No. 10 position this season.
The more pressing question is: Who will De la Fuente call upon to fill López's spot in Spain's World Cup squad? Reports from Spain suggest that former Barcelona teammate and fellow La Masia product Ansu Fati is a leading candidate to step into that role.