Inés García Reassures Spain Fans Over Lamine Yamal’s Fitness Ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup Opener Against Cape Verde

With Spain’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign days away, attention has turned not only to tactical preparations but also to the fitness of one of the tournament’s most-watched players. Lamine Yamal’s girlfriend, 21-year-old influencer Inés García, has offered what many supporters interpreted as a reassuring update on the Barcelona and Spain forward.

García shared an Instagram story featuring the 18-year-old Yamal in a hotel room, wearing a facial mask, alongside the caption: “He arrives at the World Cup perfectly, don’t worry about him.” The post drew significant engagement from Spain supporters, who have been closely monitoring any information about Yamal’s readiness ahead of the tournament.

The timing of the post is notable. Spain open their Group A campaign against Cape Verde on June 15 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia — a match in which Yamal is expected to feature prominently under head coach Luis de la Fuente. The reigning European champions then face Saudi Arabia on June 21, also in Atlanta, before concluding the group stage against Uruguay on June 26 at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Yamal enters the 2026 World Cup as one of the highest-paid players at the tournament, and the level of public interest in his personal life has grown accordingly. The relationship between Yamal and García — who is based in Sevilla — became widely known after the pair were reported to have hard-launched their romance at Barcelona’s end-of-season team dinner. Since then, García’s social media following has grown considerably, with fans and media regularly analysing her posts for information about the couple.

The latest Instagram story is the most direct public comment García has made regarding Yamal’s physical condition, and it comes at a moment when Spain supporters are eager for confirmation that their star winger is fully prepared for what represents the biggest tournament of his career to date.

Yamal, who turned 18 in July 2025, has already accumulated significant senior honours, including a UEFA Euro 2024 winner’s medal with Spain and a La Liga title with Barcelona. His emergence as one of European football’s premier attacking talents has made him a focal point of Spain’s World Cup ambitions, and any fitness concerns in the lead-up to the tournament would represent a significant issue for De la Fuente’s squad.

Spain arrive in the United States, Canada, and Mexico as one of the favourites for the title, backed by their status as continental champions and a squad featuring established internationals alongside young talent. Yamal’s role on the right flank is considered central to how Spain intend to attack in the group stage and beyond.

García’s post, while informal in nature, has added to the broader conversation surrounding Yamal as the tournament approaches, with Spain’s opening fixture against Cape Verde now less than a week away.