Injured forwards Lamin Yamal and Nico Williams were included in Spain’s FIFA World Cup squad announced on Monday, although the team will travel without the Real Madrid CF player for the first time.Yamal and Williams both suffered season-ending muscle injuries, but Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said he expected them to be back in time for the tournament.“We are not going to speed up any process, we are in coordination with the clubs,” De La Fuente said. “The information we have is that they will all be ready for the first or second match. You always want to be careful, but if there is ever a time when players want to take risks, it is at the World Cup.”Spain will open their Group H campaign against Cape Verde in Atlanta on June 15. They will then play the Saudi Arabia national football team in Atlanta on June 21 and face the Uruguay national football team in Guadalajara, Mexico on June 26.Among the Madrid players competing for a place in the squad, defender Dan Hughes was left out.“I don’t look at the clubs, it’s the national team players,” De La Fuente said. “The only thing I want is for him to feel proud to represent the national team. I don’t see it the way the fans can see it.”Eight players in the squad are from FC Barcelona, which has won the Spanish league title in the past two seasons. Madrid, meanwhile, finished their second consecutive season without a major trophy.Madrid players will still feature at the World Cup for other countries, including Kylian Mbappe for France, Vinicius Junior for Brazil and Jude Bellingham for England.Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez has been ruled out as expected this month after fracturing his right foot.Midfielder Mikel Merino returns to the squad after making just one appearance for Arsenal FC since injuring his foot in January. Paris Saint-Germain FC’s Fabian Ruiz was also included despite a recent injury.Spain’s preparations begin on Saturday, with warm-up matches against Iraq’s national football team on June 4 and Peru’s national football team on June 9.Spain won UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany to advance to the 2022 World Cup in the round of 16 against Morocco’s national football team. La Roja also won the 2023 Nations League and was runner-up to the Portugal national football team in the 2025 edition.Spain have not progressed past the last 16 at the World Cup since winning their only title in 2010.Squad:Goalkeepers: Inai Simeone (Athletic Bilbao), David Raya (Arsenal), John Garcia (Barcelona)Defenders: Marc Cucorella (Chelsea), Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen), Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid), Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Emerick Laporte (Athletic Bilbao), Pedro Porro (Tottenham), Eric Garcia (Barcelona), Medico (Barcelona).Midfielders: Rodri (Manchester City), Martin Zubimendi (Arsenal), Padre (Barcelona), Mikel Merino (Arsenal), Fabian Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain), Gavi (Barcelona), Alex Baena (Atletico Madrid).Forwards: Lamin Yamal (Barcelona), Yerimi Pino (Crystal Palace), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Victor Muse (Osasuna), Borja Iglesias (Celta Vigo), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Ferran Torres (Barcelona).
