Nico Williams Starts on the Bench for Spain Against Cabo Verde

nico williams began Spain’s 2026 World Cup opener against Cabo Verde on the bench, with Luis de la Fuente holding him back because he was not yet fully fit. The Spain coach said Williams was available, but the plan was to keep him out of the starting lineup and assess the match as it unfolded.

De la Fuente’s selection call

De la Fuente said before kickoff: “Está en buenas condiciones, pero no estará desde el inicio. Veremos cómo se desarrolla el encuentro”. That put the winger in reserve for the opener, with a possible second-half appearance if circumstances allowed.

The decision followed a season in which Williams dealt with pubic discomfort tied to pubalgia and later suffered a moderate injury to the left hamstring musculature when four La Liga matches remained. He had recovered in time to be included in Spain’s World Cup squad, but he had not reached one hundred percent physically.

Spain’s workload plan

Spain used the opener to protect one of its key attackers rather than push him into 90 minutes too soon. Williams is valued for his dribbling and his role in the team’s attack, which is why the staff chose caution after the late-season setbacks.

That approach leaves Spain with a clear balance to manage in the tournament. Williams is in the squad and available, but his minutes against Cabo Verde are tied to how the match develops and how his body responds after the recent physical problems.