Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente expects Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams to feature when Spain open their World Cup campaign against Cape Verde on 15 June, provided preparations stay on track. De la Fuente also plans to have Victor Munoz ready, with all three moving closer to full fitness.

Yamal is recovering from a hamstring injury suffered in April, which ruled the winger out of Barcelona’s final six LaLiga matches. Williams picked up a muscle problem in early May and missed Athletic Club’s last three league fixtures, while Munoz has also been managed carefully in recent days.

Rather than flying to Mexico for Monday’s friendly against Peru, Yamal, Williams and Munoz are staying at Spain’s training base in Tennessee. Spain drew 1-1 with Iraq on Thursday, and De la Fuente is now using the time in the United States to fine-tune fitness and tactical details before Group H starts.

With seven days left before the European champions face Cape Verde, De la Fuente sounds confident about the availability of the three attackers. “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.”

The head coach stressed that the medical plan is progressing as intended and that he already has a clear idea of his opening line-up. “The most important thing is that those timelines are being met and will continue to be met, so they can be with us and be available to be selected at some point in the match. I have in my head how to start the World Cup if there are no adverse circumstances. Football can always surprise you, but I won’t tell you our lineup.”