Spain Midfielder Nico Williams Suffers Hamstring Injury Ahead of World Cup
Al Jazeera English
Spain’s World Cup hopes have suffered another setback as midfielder Nico Williams limped off with a hamstring injury during Athletic Bilbao’s La Liga loss to Valencia. The 23-year-old, a key figure for the European champions, now faces a race to be fit for the tournament beginning in June.
Spain’s national team faces a fresh blow as midfielder Nico Williams was forced off just before half-time in Athletic Bilbao’s 0-1 defeat to Valencia in La Liga on Sunday (13 April).
The 23-year-old covered his face in despair as he limped down the tunnel, later seen on the bench with an ice pack on his left hamstring. He had already missed several weeks earlier this season due to a different injury.
“He was limping a lot. He’s never felt that kind of pain before,” said Williams’ teammate at Athletic, Inaki Williams. “It’s really worrying, especially at this moment. We can only wait and hope for the best possible scenario.”
Williams has scored six goals in 30 appearances for Spain since 2022. This season, he has netted six times and provided seven assists in 32 matches for Athletic Bilbao.
His injury deepens Spain’s concerns, as the team is already closely monitoring star forward Lamine Yamal, who suffered a hamstring tear in a Barcelona match last month.
Spain is in Group H for the 2026 World Cup in the United States. Their first two matches will be played in Atlanta, Georgia: against Cape Verde on 15 June and Saudi Arabia on 21 June. The 2010 champions wrap up the group stage against Uruguay on 26 June in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Athletic Bilbao has not yet released details on Williams’ injury. Meanwhile, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente is expected to announce a preliminary 55-man squad for the World Cup later this week.
