Spain dealt World Cup blow as midfielder diagnosed with significant injury

FootballSports
19 May 2026 • 12:22 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Spain dealt World Cup blow as midfielder diagnosed with significant injury

  • Spain midfielder Fermin Lopez is expected to miss the upcoming World Cup after sustaining a fracture to the fifth metatarsal bone in his right foot.
  • Barcelona confirmed on Monday that the 23-year-old will undergo surgery for the injury, which occurred during Sunday’s Spanish league fixture against Real Betis.
  • While Barcelona did not provide a specific recovery timeline, it is understood Lopez will not be fit for the tournament, with Spain scheduled to play their first game on 15 June.
  • This setback follows a successful period for Lopez, who was part of the Spain squad that won the 2024 European Championship and helped the under-23 team secure a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
  • Lopez has been a key player for Barcelona this season, scoring six La Liga goals and six Champions League goals, and his versatility will be a significant loss for Spain's World Cup ambitions.

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