Spain Gears Up for World Cup Debut Against Cape Verde
June 14, 2026 · Manuela Fernández
Spain is set to face Cape Verde in their World Cup opener, with Mikel Oyarzabal leading the charge. Despite recent injuries, Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams are on the mend but might not start.
Spain is on the brink of its highly anticipated World Cup debut against Cape Verde, scheduled for Monday, June 15. The match is set to kick off at 6 PM Central European Time. Leading Spain's offensive line is Mikel Oyarzabal, whose remarkable form features eight goals across the last six matches, making him the top scorer under coach Luis de la Fuente. Oyarzabal's 25 goals place him as the ninth highest scorer in Spain's history, just one shy of Emilio Butragueño.
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Meanwhile, the fitness of Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams remains under close scrutiny. Both players have recently resumed full training, overcoming their respective muscle injuries. Yamal has been sidelined since April 22, while Williams has been out since May 11, raising questions about their match readiness. Although fundamental to de la Fuente's plans, it's uncertain how much playing time they will receive in the opening match, as both look to gradually regain peak fitness throughout the tournament.
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