Fermín López has been ruled out of the 2026 World Cup after a fractured foot confirmed the need for surgery, dealing a major blow to both Spain and Barcelona ahead of the tournament in North America.
The 23-year-old picked up the injury during Barcelona’s 3-1 win over Real Betis, initially coming off at half-time with what was thought to be a minor issue. However, further scans revealed a fracture in the fifth metatarsal of his right foot.
World Cup dream ends after surgery confirmation
Medical tests confirmed the severity of the injury, with surgery scheduled to correct the fracture.
The timeline rules him out of the upcoming World Cup across the United States, Canada and Mexico, where he was expected to play a significant role for Spain.
Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente will now be forced to adjust his squad plans just days before final selections were due.
Spain forced into late squad reshuffle
López’s absence is expected to open the door for alternative attacking options in the Spain setup, with several players now in contention to replace him in the final squad list.
The timing of the injury leaves limited room for tactical adjustments, increasing pressure on Spain’s selection process ahead of the tournament.
Barcelona assess recovery timeline
At club level, Barcelona will monitor López’s rehabilitation closely, with an expected recovery period of at least two months.
While he is unlikely to feature at the World Cup, there remains cautious optimism that he could return in time for the start of next season, depending on how his recovery progresses.