Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams returned to full training with Spain at the team's World Cup base camp in Chattanooga, Tennessee, giving Luis de la Fuente a timely fitness boost before Monday's opener against Cape Verde.
Yamal And Williams Return At Spain Camp
ESPN reported that Yamal and Williams trained fully on Thursday after recent injury concerns. Yamal, Williams and Victor Munoz had missed Spain's friendly against Peru on Monday because of injuries and stayed at the team's training base.
Yamal's status has been the sharper question. The Barcelona winger has not played since April 22 because of a left hamstring injury, and De la Fuente said last week that he expected Yamal to be ready for Spain's opening World Cup match, while adding that the teenager's role could be limited to a few minutes.
The report said teammates marked Yamal and Williams' recovery by inviting them to run the gauntlet at the start of Thursday's training. Goalkeeper Unai Simon followed them through as part of his birthday celebration.
Spain Open World Cup Against Cape Verde
Spain, the reigning European champions, begin their World Cup campaign against Cape Verde in Atlanta on June 15. They then face Saudi Arabia, also in Atlanta, on June 21 before closing Group H against Uruguay in Guadalajara, Mexico, on June 26.
The training update does not settle Spain's lineup, but it changes the immediate tone around two important wide players. Yamal offers one-v-one threat and final-third invention, while Williams gives Spain another direct option if De la Fuente wants width and speed against a compact opponent.
For Spain, the value is practical rather than decorative. Returning to full training four days before the opener gives the staff time to assess how much workload Yamal and Williams can handle before the tournament starts.
De La Fuente Still Has A Minutes Decision
ESPN's report makes clear that Yamal's return to training is not the same thing as a confirmed start. De la Fuente's earlier comments left room for a cautious introduction, and that remains relevant given the length of Yamal's absence.
Williams' return is also useful for a Spain squad trying to start the group cleanly. Opening matches can become awkward when a favorite is short of rhythm, and having both wingers back on the grass gives De la Fuente more options without forcing a public commitment before kickoff.
The next checkpoint is simple: how Spain use the final training sessions before Cape Verde, and whether Thursday's full session becomes a path to match minutes rather than just a welcome update from camp.