By Francis Onyach - Reporter
Spain, May 18, 2026 - Spain and Barcelona have been dealt a major blow ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after midfielder Fermín López was officially ruled out of the tournament due to a fractured fifth metatarsal in his right foot.
Barcelona confirmed on Monday that the 23-year-old suffered the injury during their 3–1 La Liga victory over Real Betis and will now undergo surgery, ending his hopes of participating in this summer’s World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The injury occurred during Sunday’s league clash against Betis when Fermín received a heavy knock to his foot. Although he initially attempted to continue, the discomfort worsened, forcing him to be substituted at halftime. Early fears inside the club suggested the injury could involve the fifth metatarsal, and medical examinations carried out on Monday confirmed the fracture.
Barcelona later released an official medical statement confirming both the diagnosis and the need for surgical intervention.
According to multiple Spanish and international reports, the expected recovery period is between six and eight weeks, which effectively rules him out of Spain’s World Cup squad. Spain begin their tournament campaign on June 15 against Cape Verde, leaving insufficient recovery time for the midfielder to regain fitness.
The news comes as a devastating setback for both the player and Spain national team coach Luis de la Fuente.
Fermín had been widely expected to make Spain’s final 26-man squad after an outstanding season with Barcelona under Hansi Flick. The midfielder had developed into one of the club’s most influential attacking players, contributing goals, assists, energy, and creativity throughout the campaign. Spanish media reports described him as one of the strongest-performing midfielders in contention for the World Cup squad before the injury occurred.
His absence is especially painful given the timing.
Fermín had already established himself as an important figure in Spain’s recent international success, helping the country win Olympic gold in Paris and contributing to Spain’s European Championship-winning setup. Many supporters viewed the World Cup as the next major step in his rapidly rising career.
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Spanish football fans reacted emotionally across social media after the diagnosis was confirmed. On Reddit and football forums, many supporters described the injury as “heartbreaking,” especially because it happened during a late-season league match with relatively low stakes for Barcelona. Others pointed to how important Fermín’s energy and attacking movement could have been for Spain at the tournament.
The injury also creates a selection headache for Luis de la Fuente ahead of his official squad announcement next week.
Spain already face fitness concerns involving several attacking players, and Fermín’s absence removes one of the squad’s most dynamic midfield options. Reports in Spain suggest players such as Gavi, Álex Baena, and Alberto Moleiro could now see increased opportunities in the final squad selection.
For Barcelona, the injury ends what had been one of the best periods of Fermín’s career.
The midfielder had enjoyed a breakthrough campaign and was increasingly viewed as a long-term pillar of the club’s future. Earlier this year, Barcelona reportedly moved quickly to secure his future with a long-term contract extension running until 2031, underlining how highly the club rates him internally.
Now, however, attention shifts toward recovery.
While the World Cup dream has been cruelly taken away just weeks before the tournament begins, both Barcelona and Spain remain optimistic that Fermín will make a full recovery in time for the start of the 2026/27 season.
For the player himself, though, the disappointment will be enormous.