Lamine Yamal set to return for Spain’s Nations League clash with England

Lamine Yamal will be fit to play for Spain against England on Sunday after being given time to fully recover from an injury problem, manager Luis de la Fuente has confirmed.

The Barcelona winger has been left out of Spain’s preparations so far because of pain that has prevented him from performing at his best. De la Fuente said the decision to delay his involvement was taken with the player’s health as the priority.

Spain face England at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Sunday, 15 November 2026, in their final group-stage match of the Nations League.

“This was the decision that had to be made,” De la Fuente told the Spanish news agency. “The player was certainly ready to play and, if we had faced an emergency, we would have decided to use him. But there was no point taking any risk.

“We thought first about his health and then about having him in the best possible condition for Sunday’s match.”

Yamal has been suffering from the problem since Barcelona’s most recent Champions League fixture against Aston Villa at Camp Nou on 3 November. De la Fuente said it had caused “slight inflammation which prevented him from being in good condition”, prompting Spain’s coaching staff to keep him in Barcelona rather than have him join the squad at the Football City complex in Las Rozas, Madrid.

Under normal circumstances, De la Fuente expects Yamal to arrive without difficulty on Thursday evening, while Spain play the Czech Republic in Prague, or on Friday morning. That would give the 19-year-old two training sessions before the meeting with England.

The Spain manager said the same approach had been applied to all players, with medical considerations taking precedence over other factors.

“There is no difference in the way we treat anyone,” he said. “If it were a final, the player himself would ask you to let him play whatever the circumstances.

“But in this case, the best decision is to ensure they arrive for the other match in perfect condition. Lamine could have played on Thursday, but it is also possible that if he had done so, he would not have reached Sunday’s game in the best physical condition.”

Oyarzabal waits for family news

Real Sociedad striker Mikel Oyarzabal is also yet to join the squad. Alongside completing his recovery from influenza, he is waiting for the birth of his second child.

De la Fuente said Oyarzabal’s arrival would depend on whether the birth proceeded normally.

“He is currently waiting for the birth of his wife’s child, which is imminent,” he said. “We hope it happens soon and that everything goes well so he can join us. We have to wait until the last moment.”

Liverpool winger Victor Munoz took part normally in Spain’s behind-closed-doors training session at Las Rozas on Tuesday after being called up to cover the temporary absences of Yamal and Oyarzabal.

Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya also trained after completing personal commitments in London. His late arrival had been approved by De la Fuente.

Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi, who could be the leading replacement for the injured Rodri Hernandez, will be available for both matches despite wearing a protective mask over his nose.

“He has already played matches wearing the mask,” De la Fuente said. “He suffered a broken nose, but he can play without any problem while wearing the protection.”