Lamine Yamal pulls out of Spain squad for final World Cup qualifiers

Barcelona star Lamine Yamal will not be available for Spain ahead of the final round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers this month.

The reigning European champions are gearing up for their games against Georgia and Turkey. Spain will travel to face Georgia on November 15 before hosting Turkey in Seville on November 18 respectively.

Yamal, who missed the October international break through injury was initially included in coach Luis De la Fuente’s 26-man squad for the upcoming games.

However, the Spanish Football Federation has announced the 18-year-old, who has Morocco and Equatorial Guinea roots will not be available for the games against Georgia and Turkey after undergoing an invasive radiofrequency procedure to treat his pubic area injury, which requires around 7-10 days of rest.

Spain intends not to risk Yamal for the games, excluding him out of the squad for the two crucial games this month.

The La Roja currently leads Group E, three points ahead of Turkey, and is aiming to secure direct qualification by finishing at the top of the group.

Spain can secure direct qualification to the 2026 World Cup by defeating Georgia, provided that Turkey does not defeat Bulgaria in the fifth round, otherwise they will have to wait until they face Turkey in the final round.