Yamal and Williams doubtful to start Spain's World Cup opener

Yamal and Williams set for bench start vs Peru

Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams are both carrying knocks and are not expected to start Spain's World Cup opener against Peru. Both wingers should be fit enough to feature, but Luis de la Fuente is leaning toward bringing them off the bench rather than risking them from the first whistle. (1)

Araujo injured, flies back to Spain

Uruguay defender Ronald Araujo has picked up an injury with his national team and is travelling to Spain for treatment. His World Cup participation hangs in the balance. Araujo plays his club football in Spain, so the medical staff there know him best. (2)

Yamal opens up on Ballon d'Or, Dembele friendship

Lamine Yamal admitted he thought he was going to win the 2025 Ballon d'Or, and that losing to Ousmane Dembele was actually good for him. "I don't think it was the right time for me to win it because I was still a kid and probably wouldn't have appreciated what it really means," Yamal said. He also revealed he has a strong bond with Dembele: "Ousmane and I get along very well. We continue to talk to each other from time to time." (6)

Yamal's World Cup promise: three weeks of beard growth

Yamal has made a light-hearted promise ahead of the tournament – if Spain win the World Cup, he will grow his beard and moustache for three weeks and raffle off 100 Beats headphones. (4) (5)

The bandage secret: PlayStation, not surgery

Yamal explained the bandage he wears on his hand: "While playing PlayStation, I hit the TV and smashed my fingers; they swelled up a lot. From then on, I bandaged them, and the bandage felt really good, like I was Karim Benzema. We did the KB9 joke, and I just kept it on." He also named Gerard Martin, Fabian Ruiz and Mikel Merino as underrated players. (5)

Yeremy Pino: "Gavi is soul"

Yeremy Pino summed up his Spain teammate in three words: "Gavi es alma" – Gavi is soul. (3)