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Spain kicks off its pre-tournament preparations ahead of the 2026 World Cup by taking on Iraq on Thursday, though star winger Lamine Yamal will be absent from the friendly in A Coruña.
La Roja enters the competition as reigning European champions and ranks among the top contenders for the trophy, 16 years after claiming its first and only World Cup title in South Africa.
Following back-to-back round of 16 eliminations, Spain is intent on making a deep run in North America, making proper preparation for the tournament a top priority.
Iraq, also set to feature at this summer's tournament, serves as the first warm-up test for Luis de la Fuente's side, though Yamal's unavailability will add an extra layer of difficulty.
Why Lamine Yamal Will Sit Out Friendly Against Iraq
Despite earning a place in De la Fuente's final World Cup roster, Yamal continues to battle a hamstring problem that kept him out for the closing stretch of Barcelona's La Liga title-winning season.
The gifted teenager sustained the hamstring injury while taking a penalty in a win over Celta Vigo on April 22 and has remained on the sidelines ever since. Even after six weeks of rehabilitation, Yamal is still not ready to return to action.
Thursday's friendly will also see Spain manage without two additional injured attackers, with Athletic Club's Nico Williams and Osasuna's Victor Muñoz both ruled out of the match.
Yamal will not only miss the game against Iraq — the winger is also expected to be left out of the squad for the clash with Peru on June 9, just six days before La Roja's World Cup curtain-raiser.
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Will Lamine Yamal Play in Spain's World Cup Opener?
Yamal is set to miss Spain's pre-tournament friendlies, but De la Fuente is hopeful he will be available in some form for the World Cup opener against debutants Cabo Verde on June 15.
"If nothing changes, he could be ready to play on June 15," the Spain manager stated. "That doesn't guarantee he will start — we'll have to see. Perhaps a few minutes, or maybe just training to build up his fitness ahead of the second match. We'll need to assess the situation."
Yamal will be aiming to return to full fitness by the second group stage fixture against Saudi Arabia on June 21, with La Roja rounding out the group stage against Uruguay on June 27 before the knockout rounds begin.
"He's incredibly excited. He's incredibly eager. He's very young but very mature," De la Fuente recently told RTVE about Yamal. "And he knows this is his moment. And in life, you have to seize your opportunities.
"You never know how you'll be at the next World Cup. And this is Lamine Yamal's moment. He's very good, and he'll only get better as his teammates help him perform at his best."