Yamal (hamstring) is on the bench for Monday's World Cup opener against Cape Verde.
Analysis:
Yamal has been cleared for play after manager Luis de la Fuente confirmed he had followed the planned recovery process and arrived at the tournament in perfect condition, though Spain opted for a cautious approach by keeping their star winger among the substitutes for the opener against Cape Verde. The coaching staff are unwilling to risk his long-term fitness in a fixture they are heavily favored to control, but his presence on the bench means he could be brought on in the closing stages to get valuable minutes under his belt before bigger tests lie ahead in the tournament. His return to the starting lineup is expected to follow in the coming fixtures as Spain manage his workload carefully through the early stages of the World Cup.
