Teenage star absent from final preparations
Lamine Yamal was a notable absentee from Spain's training session on Thursday, just two days before the FIFA World Cup 2026 final against Argentina. The 17-year-old forward was one of two players who did not take part in the workout at the team's base in New Jersey, a development first reported by FourFourTwo.
"Spain teenager Yamal was one of two players who missed training in New Jersey," the report stated.
The exact reason for his absence remains undisclosed, but any fitness issue surrounding the Barcelona prodigy would be a significant concern for head coach Luis de la Fuente. Yamal has been a driving force in Spain's run to the final, contributing goals and assists while occupying a key role on the right wing.
Uncertainty clouds Spain's attacking plans
If Yamal is unable to feature at MetLife Stadium on Saturday, July 19, de la Fuente would be forced to reconfigure his frontline. The 17-year-old's dribbling, vision and composure under pressure have made him an integral part of Spain's system, and losing him to injury or illness would diminish Spain's attacking unpredictability against a resilient Argentina side led by Lionel Messi. No official statement has yet been released by the Spanish Football Federation regarding the nature of the issue or the identity of the other player who missed training.
Countdown to the final
The World Cup final is set for 5 p. m. local time on Saturday, with Spain aiming to lift the trophy for the first time since 2010 and Argentina looking to go back-to-back after their triumph in 2022. Both sides are expected to hold final training sessions on Friday, and further updates on Yamal's condition will be closely monitored. For now, Spain's camp remains cautiously optimistic that his absence was merely a precaution.