Fermín López ruled out of World Cup after Barcelona midfielder fractures metatarsal
Spain's 2026 FIFA World Cup hopes have taken a significant blow with the news that midfielder Fermín López has been ruled out of the tournament due to a fractured metatarsal in his right foot. López, who was part of Spain's European Championship-winning squad in 2024, suffered the injury on May 17, 2026, and underwent surgery to repair the damage.
The 23-year-old Barcelona midfielder was a key player for Spain, and his absence will be deeply felt. This is not the only injury concern for Spain, however, as Lamine Yamal is also out with a partially torn hamstring, while Mikel Merino has a stress fracture. Despite these setbacks, Spain still have a talented squad, with Pedri, Rodri, Dani Olmo, Álvaro Morata, and Nico Williams all available for selection.
The loss of López will undoubtedly be a significant blow to Spain's chances of winning the World Cup, which gets underway on June 11, 2026. Spain are co-favourites with France at +500 to lift the trophy, and manager Luis de la Fuente will be keen to ensure that his remaining players are fully prepared for the tournament. The news of López's injury will come as a disappointment to fans of the national team, who were looking forward to seeing him in action in the World Cup.
"We're all devastated for Fermín," said Pedri, who is likely to take on a more prominent role in the absence of López. "He's a fantastic player and a great teammate. We'll miss him, but we have to move on and focus on the tournament ahead." Spain's players will be looking to put the disappointment of López's injury behind them and focus on the task at hand. "We have a great squad and we're all confident that we can achieve great things," added Pedri.
The news of López's injury will also raise questions about the long-term implications for Spain's midfield. López was a key player for Barcelona, and his absence will give other players in the squad the opportunity to step up and take on more responsibility. "This is a chance for other players to come in and show what they can do," said Luis de la Fuente. "We have a talented squad and we're confident that we can adapt to the situation."
With just over a week to go until the start of the World Cup, Spain's players will be putting in extra work to ensure that they are fully prepared for the tournament. Despite the loss of López, the team remains confident and focused, and fans will be hoping that they can overcome the injury setback and go on to achieve great things in the World Cup.
