(Photo by Nikolay DOYCHINOV / AFP) (Photo by NIKOLAY DOYCHINOV/AFP via Getty Images)

Why Is Lamine Yamal Not Playing Tonight for Spain vs Bulgaria?

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Emmanuel Mendez | Last updated Oct 14, 2025 1:09 PM ET

Spain will not be able to qualify for the 2026 World Cup with a win over Bulgaria, but another win puts them closer to that goal.

Spain is first in their group over Turkiye, Georgia, and Bulgaria. Spain won their previous World Cup qualifier match when they defeated Georgia 2-0 at home. The goal scorers for Spain were Yeremi Pino and Mikel Oyarzabal.

The team is three points ahead of 2nd-place Turkiye with a convincing 11+ goal difference. Spain has yet to concede a goal and remains a goal threat even without one of their best players, Lamine Yamal.

The teenage sensation was called up for the Spanish national team for this international break, but Yamal suffered discomfort in the pubis area, which ruled him out for games for Barcelona and for Spain.

Yamal has recovered from the injury and is seen training with the FC Barcelona team. He will not be called up to play for Spain against Bulgaria after the La Liga club has helped Yamal recover from his injury.

Yamal's last appearance for the Spanish national team was in the 6-0 win over Turkiye away from home last month.

When is Lamine Yamal Fit to Play?

Lamine Yamal has recently faced injury problems and has missed a couple of games for FC Barcelona, and will now miss two games for Spain.

Yamal has only played two games with Spain in September and two games for FC Barcelona in the past few weeks, which worries Barcelona and Spain fans.

Yamal is set to be avaialble for Barcelona's next game in La Liga against Girona this Saturday. Yamal could be fully fit for El Clásico against Real Madrid on October 26.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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