Lamine Yamal Injury Update: Is Yamal Playing Today vs. Saudi Arabia?

Lamine Yamal Injury Update – 10:55 a.m. ET

Lamine Yamal is officially in the starting lineup for Spain vs. Saudi Arabia on Sunday. One of the world's best makes his first World Cup start.

Young Spanish winger Lamine Yamal will be hopeful to play today for Spain vs. Saudi Arabia in the 2026 World Cup, set to kickoff at 12 p.m. ET from Atlanta Stadium. 

Yamal lit up Euro 2024 and was expected to be a major part of Spain’s plans as they looked to win World Cup 2026.

But an injury with club side Barcelona back in April ended his domestic season and put his World Cup availability at risk. However, Yamal managed a quick recovery and was able to appear for the final 20 minutes of Spain’s 0-0 draw with Cape Verde.

Now the question is whether he can play today vs. Saudi Arabia, and if so whether he will start the match.  

Below, we’ll give you the latest Lamine Yamal injury update, whether Yamal is playing vs. Saudi Arabia, and who could start in his place — including Ferran Torres — if La Roja has to adjust without its star right winger.

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Lamine Yamal Injury Update for World Cup: Will Yamal Play vs. Saudi Arabia?

Yamal is available to play for Spain vs. Saudi Arabia after his cameo performance against Cape Verde. The question is whether he will start, and how long he can play if so. 

Spanish manager Luis de la Fuente was blunt in his post-match comments after the shocking 0-0 draw with Cape Verde, stating that Spain struggled without their talented young winger. “As soon as Lamine came on, he changed how they were playing,” de la Fuente said. 

The numbers back that up. In just 20 minutes plus stoppage time, Lamal attempted 2 shots, made a key pass, and completed 2 dribbles — accounting for nearly one-third of Spain’s 7 dribbles for the entire match.

Spain lacked any kind of wide threat with Lamal and Nico Williams both out injured. Facing a similar compact defense vs. Saudi Arabia and lacking any other true wide threats currently, de la Fuente will likely want him to go from the outset.

Yamal stated on Friday that while he’s ready to play, Sunday’s match “isn’t the moment to play a full game” as he understands the bigger picture is staying fit for the entire tournament. 

His manager echoed those sentiments. De la Fuente has stated that Lamal is ready to start and could play into the second half. “Lamine is in a good moment,” he said on Saturday. Spain's managed followed that with, "Whether he plays 55, 58, or 63 minutes, that will depend on the game.”

De la Fuente also stated that Yamal is “a genius” and has made it obvious that Spain operates best with him on the pitch. That’s why a start could be line for Sunday. 

Spain cannot afford to fall behind against Saudi Arabia, given this is almost a must-win situation for them. Spain’s toughest group match is against Uruguay on Matchday 3, and going into that fixture with just one point would put them in a precarious spot.

La Roja looked toothless at times in attack, and having Yamal on the pitch from the outset gives them an opportunity to get a lead that they can protect with their high-intensity pressing and outstanding ball control. If he starts, look for him to be subbed off at halftime. 

If for some reason he doesn’t start, then we might see him come in at halftime if Spain are not winning, or perhaps another cameo should they be ahead late.

What Happened to Lamine Yamal at World Cup? Injury News

Yamal suffered a torn left hamstring on April 22, 2026, during Barcelona’s match against Celta Vigo. His World Cup 2026 status was immediately called into question.

However, he was able to fully rehab the injury and was named to the Spanish side. He came off the bench in the 70th minute vs. Cape Verde and performed quite well.

Spain was unable to find a goal either before or after his introduction, as they struggled to break down the Cape Verde low block. That said, his introduction provided them with some of their best scoring chances of the entire match.

Playing indoors today is helping Yamal. That avoids some of the heat and humidity of other locations, which should go a long way in allowing Yamal to play without adding additional risk of re-aggravating his hamstring injury. 

Yamal and Spain both know he’s needed for beyond today’s match. Getting a win and getting out healthy will be of primary concern, with Spain one of the favorites to win World Cup 2026. 

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Who Will Be In Spain Starting Lineup if Yamal is Out? Potential Replacements

Ferran Torres started on the right against Cape Verde and in all of Spain’s warm-up matches, and would be the likely replacement.

Due to injuries and team composition, there are really only two options Spain have to replace Yamal should he not start — one of whom might actually not be available himself due to injury. 

• Ferran Torres — Started on the right wing for Spain vs. Cape Verde, and registered 0.66 xG from four shots
• Victor Munoz — One of the few true wingers on the Spanish side, Munoz might also be unavailable as reports out of Spain indicate he has re-aggravated a calf injury in training. 

De la Fuente could potentially start someone out of position, but it would be highly unlikely and go against everything he’s done in the past. Torres can provide the ability to cut inside as an inverted winger, unleashing a dangerous long-range shot and operating as a playmaker. 

Torres failed to create a single chance vs. Cape Verde, but did manage an effort on target from his 4 shots and hit the crossbar shortly before halftime from about six yards out in a situation where he should have scored. 

Ferran Torres World Cup Projections vs. Saudi Arabia on PrizePicks

If Yamal is ruled out or starts on the bench, Ferran Torres likely becomes one of the players to watch for PrizePicks World Cup picks.

On PrizePicks, simply choose More or Less on Player stat projections, submit your Lineup, and earn money if you’re right. Demon picks pay more, Goblin picks pay less but are easier to hit.

Ferran Torres projections are live for Spain vs. Saudi Arabia on PrizePicks, including:

• 0.5 Assists (Demon)
• 2.5 Shots (Goblin)
• 0.5 SOT (Goblin)
• 2.5 Tackles (Demon)
• 0.5 Fouls (Goblin)
• 1.5 Fouls Drawn (Demon)
• 0.5 Cards (Demon)
• 0.5 Offsides (Goblin)

If Ferran Torres is in the XI, Spain will need him to generate more opportunities than he did vs. Cape Verde. His ability to cut inside and shoot is a threat, but he might need to be willing to run towards the endline more like Yamal can to force Saudi Arabia’s left back to stay wide. 

Torres attempted 4 shots vs. Cape Verde, making his 2.5 shots and 0.5 SOT projections worth looking at. Torres also managed an assist in Spain’s 3-1 win over Peru and a goal in the 1-1 win over Iraq leading up to the World Cup, displaying his playmaking ability.

He was not fouled in the opening match draw but did commit 2 fouls stopping counter-attacks and fighting to get into the box. If Saudi Arabia sits deep and defends and Torres isn’t more aggressive, then we could see a similar pattern play out. 

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Make Spain World Cup Picks on PrizePicks

All signs point to Lamine Yamal starting for Spain in today’s match vs. Saudi Arabia, but it won’t be certain until lineups come out. While he won’t play a full match, Spain hope to get a good hour of football out of their most dynamic playmaker in a must-win match. 

Whether Yamal starts, or if it's Ferran Torres replacing him in the lineup, be sure to check the latest Spain lineup news on Playbook before making your World Cup picks.

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