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Spain has suffered yet another major injury setback ahead of the World Cup, with Barcelona's Fermín López set to miss the tournament entirely.
Luis de la Fuente's reigning European champions are among the frontrunners to claim glory in North America this summer, but a string of attacking injuries — including Lamine Yamal's hamstring issue — has dented their prospects less than a month before the tournament kicks off.
Fermín was part of Spain's Euro 2024-winning squad but managed just one appearance, with Dani Olmo dominating from the No. 10 role. His moment to shine came at the Olympics, where La Roja claimed gold on the back of Fermín's outstanding campaign — the midfielder finding the net six times throughout the competition.
The dynamic attacking midfielder has since flourished for back-to-back La Liga title winners Barcelona and had been expected to feature prominently in De la Fuente's World Cup plans. Sadly, a fractured foot has now shattered that dream.
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Lamine Yamal Consoles Fermín López After Devastating Injury News
Sunday was a celebratory day for Barça, as they became the first club since La Liga expanded to 20 teams to win every single home match in a season, defeating Real Betis 3–1. However, the festive atmosphere quickly faded for Fermín following the news that emerged in the hours after the final whistle.
Barcelona confirmed on Tuesday that the 23-year-old "suffered a fracture to the fifth metatarsal bone in his right foot" during the Betis match, and will require surgery.
Fermín had been heading into the World Cup on the back of an incredibly productive season in Catalonia, registering 30 goal contributions across 48 appearances, including 13 goals. While he shared the stage with Olmo under Hansi Flick at the Blaugrana, Fermín had been on track to take on a more prominent role with the national side this summer compared to his involvement in 2024.
Fellow injured Spanish star Lamine Yamal reached out on social media to offer his support. Yamal shared an Instagram story of the two celebrating together with a salute, captioning it: "We will do it for you, my warrior."
López now joins a growing list of players sidelined from the tournament through injury, while Yamal's own availability for his first-ever World Cup has also been thrown into serious question.
Yamal Unlikely to Feature in Spain's First Two World Cup Games
The teenage sensation, who was named Young Player of the Tournament at Euro 2024 and finished runner-up for the 2025 Ballon d'Or, sustained a hamstring injury during Barcelona's 1–0 victory over Celta Vigo last month.
Barcelona were initially optimistic that Yamal's World Cup participation would not be affected, but more recent reports indicate the star winger will not be ready for the start of Spain's campaign.
Yamal is now expected to sit out La Roja's opening group fixture against Cabo Verde in Atlanta on June 15, and is already considered a "major doubt" for their second group stage clash against Saudi Arabia.
Despite the mounting injury concerns, Spain will still be widely tipped to top Group H, which also includes a underwhelming Uruguay side. Getting Yamal back to full fitness for the knockout rounds must be the priority, as the teenager's brilliance could prove decisive when De la Fuente's men come up against the tournament's elite.