Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterLamine Yamal missed Spains first training session in New Jersey, where the World Cup finalists are preparing at the facilities of the New York Red Bulls.Spain travelled to New Jersey the day after they beat France in Tuesdays semi-final and trained on Thursday without Barcelona winger Yamal and Tottenham Hotspur defender Pedro Porro.According to reporting by AS, Yamal and Porro sat out of training but both are still expected to feature in Sundays World Cup final at the New York New Jersey Stadium.Play our free match predictor and win �1kWhy did Lamine Yamal miss Spain training in New Jersey?Its a matter of managing the players workload, reports Juan Jimenez. Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente explained that Porro is experiencing muscle tightness.Regarding Lamine, [De la Fuente] said that he was fine. Nevertheless, the effects of the (victorious) battles against [France defenders Lucas] Digne and Theo Hernandez were evident the following day. You may like Lamine Yamal fitness concerns addressed by Luis de la Fuente ahead of Spain vs Cape Verde Lamine Yamal a serious doubt for World Cup 2026, after freak injury in Barcelona win How to watch Lamine Yamal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Understandable aches and pains after the tackles. The aim is for the number 19, like all the players, to be as fresh as possible.Yamal is expected to start the World Cup final against Argentina on Sunday. The 19-year-old arrived at the World Cup having missed Barcelonas last six La Liga fixtures of the season with a muscle injury and was eased into his debut World Cup.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.The 2024 European Championship winner was brought off the bench as Spain searched for a winning goal against Cape Verde in their Group H opener last month and played 45 minutes from the start in the second game against Saudi Arabia.He scored his first World Cup goal in that game in Atlanta, the first of seven consecutive starts in matches won by Spain. He was instrumental as the 2010 winners beat Austria, Portugal, Belgium and France to claim a place in their second World Cup final.Yamal, who is ranked at no.1 in FourFourTwo's list of the most exciting teenagers in the world right now, has been a regular starter for Spain since making his debut under De la Fuente in September 2023, at the age of just 16. What to read next Lamine Yamal has matured a lot since the Euros. Hes probably the best in the world at the minute, but he cant do it on his own Mikel Merino on his game-changing Spain team-mate 'I think he has more to give' Lamine Yamal performance questioned by Cesar Azpilicueta after Spain edge past Belgium Spain vs Belgium prediction: Can Lamine Yamal finally announce himself on the world stage? He was the star of the show as Spain won the European Championship the following summer and is one of the headline acts as the World Cup reaches its conclusion in New Jersey.Spain are the favourites ahead of the final and with good reason.While Argentina have been forced to dig deep and have looked in trouble on several occasions during the knock-out rounds, Spain have made it to the final with the smooth running of a well-oiled machine.After a shock goalless draw with Cape Verde, Spain won all their games on the road to the final without much fuss. The only goal theyve conceded in the tournament was against Belgium in the quarter-finals.With a squad expected to be at full strength, De la Fuente will likely be planning for more of the same on Sunday.TOPICSLamine YamalArgentinaSpainWorld CupWorld Cup 2026Chris NeeChris is a Warwickshire-based freelance football writer specialising in West Midlands football, the Premier League, the EFL and the J.League. He is the author of the High Protein Beef Paste football newsletter and owner of Aston Villa Review. He supports Coventry Sphinx.
