Madrid, May 19: Spain has suffered a significant setback ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026. FC Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez will miss the tournament due to a foot fracture.
Lopez sustained the injury during a 3-1 victory against Real Betis on Sunday, fracturing the fifth metatarsal bone in his right foot. The Spanish champions confirmed that Lopez will undergo surgery, but no timeline for his recovery has been provided.
In a statement released by Barcelona on Monday, it was noted, “Fermin Lopez has broken the fifth metatarsal bone in his right foot during the match against Betis. The player will require surgery.”
Lopez was substituted at halftime during Barcelona’s home win over Real Betis. The club confirmed the severity of his injury the following day.
Spain is set to begin its FIFA World Cup campaign against Cape Verde on June 15, followed by matches against Saudi Arabia on June 21 and Uruguay six days later. Unfortunately, the 23-year-old Lopez will not have enough time to recover before the tournament starts.
Having played seven matches for Spain, Lopez was expected to be included in coach De La Fuente’s 26-man squad.
In the past two seasons, Lopez has become a regular player for Barcelona, helping the Catalan team secure back-to-back La Liga titles. This season, he has scored 13 goals and provided 17 assists in 48 matches across all competitions, despite suffering two groin injuries.
If Lopez had participated in the World Cup, it would have marked his second major international tournament, having played 28 minutes in Spain’s successful Euro 2024 campaign.
This injury raises further fitness concerns for Spain’s squad ahead of the tournament. De La Fuente mentioned last week that he is awaiting the recovery of Athletic Club winger Nico Williams from a hamstring injury, indicating that even if Williams misses the opening match, he could return for the second group game.
Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal is also working to recover from a hamstring injury, while Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino’s participation remains uncertain following foot surgery earlier this year.
My name is Narendra Jijhontiya. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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