Lamine Yamal at FIFA World Cup 2026 North America; doubt for first two group games

Lamine Yamal at FIFA World Cup 2026: Stats, form and how to watch Spain star

The 18-year-old sensation is preparing to make his World Cup debut, two years after his historic success with Spain at UEFA Euro 2024.

Few FIFA World Cup debuts have generated as much anticipation as that of Lamine Yamal .

The Barcelona winger became the youngest football player to win a major international trophy when he helped Spain triumph at UEFA Euro 2024 the day after his 17th birthday.

Now Yamal will be looking to light up the global stage as his country go in search of their second World Cup title, 16 years after their first.

“It gives me goosebumps to think I’ll be part of it,” the 18-year-old told FIFA.com ahead of the tournament in North America.

Yamal is a doubt for Spain’s first two group stage games against Cabo Verde and Saudi Arabia as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury.

But once he returns, all eyes will be on the teenage prodigy to see what moments of magic he can deliver at the FIFA World Cup 2026 .

Lamine Yamal won UEFA Euro 2024 the day after his 17th birthday

Lamine Yamal’s statistics for Spain

Debut: 8 September 2023 vs Georgia

Last appearance: 31 March 2026 vs Egypt

Honours: UEFA Euro 2024 winner, UEFA Nations League 2025 runner-up

Lamine Yamal was named Young Player of the Tournament at UEFA Euro 2024

Yamal became the youngest player to feature in Barcelona’s first team when he made his debut against Real Betis in April 2023, aged 15 years and 291 days.

The academy graduate claimed his first senior winners’ medal when Barca captured the 2022

23 La Liga title, but his big breakthrough came the following season.

He made his first senior start aged 16 in August and earned his first call-up for Spain the following month.

Yamal netted on his debut in a 7-1 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying victory over Georgia on 8 September, becoming both the youngest player and goalscorer for Spain .

Later that month, Yamal became the second youngest player to ever feature in the UEFA Champions League .

He was named in Spain’s squad for UEFA Euro 2024 and scored the goal of the tournament in a 2-1 semi-final win over France, which also made him the youngest scorer in the history of the competition.

Yamal’s assist for Nico Williams in the final victory against England was his fourth of the Euros, a joint record, and he was named Young Player of the Tournament .

He was also the youngest player to win a major international trophy, breaking the record of Pelé when he lifted the World Cup with Brazil in 1958.

The following year, Yamal helped Spain reach the final of the UEFA Nations League , which they lost on penalties to Portugal.

Yamal has gone on to claim two more La Liga titles with Barcelona, while he finished runner-up to France’s Ousmane Dembélé for the 2025 Ballon d’Or .

Lamine Yamal registered 27 goal contributions for Barcelona in La Liga this season

Yamal’s form ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026

Yamal has enjoyed another stellar season for Barcelona, helping guide them to the La Liga title with 16 goals and 11 assists in 28 appearances.

He finished behind only Real Madrid and France superstar Kylian Mbappé for overall goal contributions, but topped the chart for assists.

However, Yamal suffered a grade two tear in his left hamstring while scoring a penalty for Barcelona against Celta Vigo in April.

The injury ruled him out of the remainder of the domestic season, but he is expected to be fit to play at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

How to watch Yamal at FIFA World Cup 2026

FIFA World Cup 2026 is televised worldwide and a full list of broadcast partners can be found here .

Spain’s group stage schedule is as follows:

All times in local time

15 June, 12:00 EDT - Spain vs Cabo Verde – Atlanta, Georgia (USA)

21 June, 12:00 EDT - Spain vs Saudi Arabia – Atlanta, Georgia (USA)

26 June, 18:00 CST - Uruguay vs Spain – Guadalajara (MEX)

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