Yamal, Williams on course for opener: De la Fuente

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said on Sunday that Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams and Victor Munoz are on ​track to be available for their World Cup opener against Cape ‌Verde on 15 June.

Yamal, 18, has been managing groin issues and a hamstring injury suffered in April, while Williams and Munoz have also been recovering from injuries.

The trio remained ​at Spain's training base in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to continue their rehabilitation ​rather than travel with the squad for Monday's final warm-up ⁠match against Peru.

"If there are no setbacks in the coming days, we ​expect them to be available on the 15th," De la Fuente told reporters.

"I ​think all three will be in a position to play."

Asked whether the players could be ready to start against Cape Verde, De la Fuente was more cautious.

"All three are ​within the expected timelines to arrive in good condition for 15 June," ​he said.

"The most important thing is that those timelines are being met and will continue ‌to ⁠be met, so they can be with us and available to be selected at some point in the match."

Spain face Peru in Puebla before travelling to Atlanta for their World Cup opener and De la Fuente said they ​would not take their ​opponents lightly.

"For ⁠us, this is a very important match," the Spaniard said. "We are not approaching it simply as a preparation game."

Spain ​arrive at the World Cup among the leading contenders after ​their Euro ⁠2024 triumph, with a Goldman Sachs model giving them a tournament-high 26% chance of lifting the trophy.

Forward Yeremy Pino said Spain were embracing expectations.

"The favourites tag is normal," ⁠Pino ​said. "We've had some very good years and we ​carry that with a lot of pride.

"Pressure should not make us play worse. It should make ​us improve and play better.”