MADRID: Lamine Yamal returned to the Spain squad named Friday after injury forced Barcelona’s young star to miss last month’s World Cup qualifiers.
A groin problem kept Yamal sidelined for Spain’s games against Georgia and Bulgaria.
But after recovering from a groin injury and returning to club duty, Yamal is back in the reckoning to face Georgia on November 15 in Tbilisi followed by Turkiye in Seville three days later.
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Fabian Ruiz is also fit again after recovering from a leg injury suffered in the 2-1 Champions League defeat of Barcelona at the start of October.
Spain, the European champions, are top of Group E, with automatic qualification for next year’s World Cup in their grasp.
While Yamal returns to national duty, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente will be missing his Barca teammate Pedri.
Also out of contention with injury are Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal, Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams, and Atletico Madrid defender Robin Le Normand.
Yamal set for Spain return in World Cup qualifiers
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Yamal set for Spain return in World Cup qualifiers
- A groin problem kept Yamal sidelined for Spain’s games against Georgia and Bulgaria
- Spain are top of Group E with automatic qualification for next year’s World Cup in their grasp
Iraq’s hopes of qualifying for first World Cup finals in 40 years under threat amid regional conflict
- National team head coach Graham Arnold unable to leave the UAE as a result of airspace closures arising from US-Israeli war against Iran
- With many embassies across the region closed as a result of the conflict, players and support staff fear they will be unable to obtain visas they need to travel abroad for games
BEIRUT: Iraq’s hopes of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup finals for the first time in 40 years are threatened by the US-Israeli war against Iran.
Iran responded to airstrikes by the US and Israel, which began on Saturday, by launching missiles and drones at a number of Gulf nations, many of which subsequently closed their airspace. Graham Arnold, the head coach of the Iraqi national team, is currently unable to leave the UAE because of this.
In addition, with many countries closing their embassies across the region as a result of the conflict, players and support staff fear they will not be able to obtain the visas they need to travel abroad to play.
Iraq are due to play Bolivia or Suriname in the Mexican city of Monterrey on Mar. 31 in a playoff for one of the remaining qualification places for the World Cup, which will be hosted this summer by the US, Mexico and Canada.
In a message posted on social media platform X, the Iraqi team management said discussions with FIFA continue over arrangements for the playoff given recent security developments in the Middle East.
“FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation are fully aware of every development regarding our team’s situation,” it said. “Because of airspace closures, our head coach, Arnold, is unable to leave the UAE.
“In addition, several embassies remain closed at the present time, preventing several professional players, technical and medical staff members from obtaining entry visas to Mexico.
“We assure our loyal supporters that we remain in close contact with both FIFA and the AFC, who are keeping tabs on the situation.”
If Iraq manage to qualify, they would join France, Senegal and Norway in Group I when the competition kicks off in June.
