Yamal could be fit for Spain's World Cup opener with Cape Verde

 Barcelona star Lamine Yamal could make Spain's World Cup finals opener against Cape Verde after positive news on hisongoing fight for fitness. The 18-year-old has been ruled out of Thursday night's warm-up clash with Iraq in La Coruna and could miss out as his country finalise their preparations with a friendly against Peru in Mexico on June 9as he continues his recovery from injury.

Yamal was sideline for Barca's final six games of the LaLiga campaigna fter damaging a hamstring against Celta Vigo on April 22, but national boss Luis De La Fuente is hopeful he will be fit to face Cape Verde in Atlanta on June 15 as the Spaniards open their Group Hcampaign. Asked about Yamal at his pre-match press conference, De La Fuente said: 'He will not be available tomorrow, but he continues toprogress as planned.

'If everything continues as expected, he could be ready for the opening World Cup game, but we will assess at every moment what is best for him and for the team.' Despite his tender years, Yamal is already highly decorated as amember of Spain's Euro 2024 winning side with three LaLiga titles tohis name. However, the experience in De La Fuente's squad lies elsewhere and he will be relying upon a series of older heads to provide leadership for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

He said: 'Rodrigo will serve as captain alongside Unai Simon, Mikel Oyarzabal and Ferran Torres. They share a similar profile to Alvaro Morata and Dani Carvajal in terms of leadership. 'Rodrigo has strong authority and influence within the squad, which gives us great confidence.' The game against Iraq, who are ranked 57th to Spain's second by FIFA,at Estadio Abancar-Riazor in La Coruna will give De La Fuente an indication of where his players are in terms of readiness for the tournament, in which they will also face Saudi Arabia and Uruguay as they attempt to reach the knockout stages.

However from what he has seen already, he is confident they arewell-placed to emulate what their predecessors did in South Africa in2010 and go all the way at his first World Cup. He said: 'I am excited and very happy. I will be part of something historic, and I see the entire group-not just the players-very happy,which also makes me feel the same. We will fight to achieve something important at the World Cup.

'I believe we are ready to compete at the World Cup, understanding the complexity it entails. I see excitement, commitment, and similarities with the squad that became champions in 2010.' Spain have only played Iraq - who have been drawn in Group I along with Norway, France and Senegal - once before, beating them 1-0 in the Confederations Cup in 2009 with David Villa the goalscorer.