Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has expressed confidence that teenage star Lamine Yamal will be available for the team's opening match of the FIFA World Cup despite ongoing recovery from a hamstring injury.

Speaking on Wednesday, De la Fuente confirmed that Yamal will miss Spain’s warm-up match against Iraq in A Coruña on Thursday. However, he said the Barcelona forward is on track to be fit for Spain’s Group H opener against Cape Verde in Atlanta on June 15.

“If nothing changes, he could be ready to play on June 15,” De la Fuente said, adding that the coaching staff will assess whether Yamal is ready for game time or should continue building fitness ahead of the second group match.

The 18-year-old suffered a left hamstring injury while taking a penalty for Barcelona in a Spanish league match on April 22. Earlier this week, Yamal admitted he feared the injury could rule him out of the World Cup and said he had hoped for a timely recovery.

De la Fuente also revealed that Nico Williams and Víctor Muñoz, who are recovering from injuries, will not feature in Thursday’s friendly. Players involved in the recent UEFA Champions League final will also be rested.

Spain’s final pre-World Cup friendly is scheduled against Peru in Mexico on Monday.

After facing Cape Verde, Spain will play Saudi Arabia on June 21 in Atlanta before taking on Uruguay in Guadalajara on June 26.

Spain, which won its only World Cup title in 2010, has failed to progress beyond the round of 16 in subsequent editions. De la Fuente said the squad is eager to begin its campaign and perform strongly in the tournament.