FC Barcelona star Fermín López has excelled this season, with his form and quality seemingly making him a certainty for Spain national football team’s squad at the 2026 World Cup under coach Luis de la Fuente.
However, his participation is now in serious doubt after FC Barcelona confirmed he suffered a fractured metatarsal during their match against Real Betis, forcing him off at half-time. He is set to undergo surgery shortly, with recovery expected to take between six and eight weeks.
As a result, Fermín will miss Barcelona’s final game of the season against Valencia CF next weekend and now also faces a race against time to be fit for the 2026 World Cup.
Fermín’s expected absence from the World Cup has yet to be officially confirmed by either FC Barcelona or the Royal Spanish Football Federation, with an announcement anticipated from the club in the coming days ahead of Spain’s 26-man squad reveal next week.
Taking him as a precaution or for the latter stages doesn't fit. Relying on the 23-year-old attacking midfielder to return after the group stage would leave the squad short on options, especially with Lamine Yamal already considered a fitness concern and expected to miss at least one group match before returning to availability.
The midfielder had been projected as one of eight potential Barcelona representatives in the preliminary squad, but his likely absence now opens the door for players such as Gavi and Dani Olmo to play a bigger role for their country in North America.
They will undoubtedly be disappointed for their teammate, but both also know his absence significantly boosts their chances of World Cup selection, with both viewed as vulnerable to missing out on Spain’s highly competitive 26-man squad.
Fermín López was arguably the most improved player of the season, with his performances in the first half of the campaign making him virtually undroppable and establishing him as the team’s standout performer during that period. Across all competitions, he finished with an impressive return of 13 goals and 17 assists.
While the injury is a major setback in the short term, it could ultimately prove to be a blessing in disguise for Barcelona, with López expected to be fully fit and ready for the start of the 2026/27 season.
Add us as a preferred source on Google