Spain's Fermin Lopez to undergo foot surgery, World Cup in doubt
by Alex Butler · UPIMay 18 (UPI) -- Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez sustained a fracture in his right foot, which will require surgery and put his World Cup status in doubt, the Spanish La Liga franchise announced Monday.
Lopez fractured the fifth metatarsal bone in the first half of a 3-1 win over Real Betis on Sunday in Barcelona. He did not play in the second half.
Barcelona did not disclose a potential timeline for return for Lopez. The La Liga champion clinched its league title May 10.
Spain has yet to announce a preliminary World Cup roster, but several of their projected participants have been hurt in recent weeks, including Lopez and winger Lamine Yamal.
The Spaniards, who sit at No. 2 in the FIFA world rankings, are the favorites to win the 2026 World Cup. They will host Iraq in a friendly June 4 in A Coruna. They will play Peru in their final pre-tournament friendly June 8 in Puebla City, Mexico.
Spain will meet Cape Verde in a Group H opener at the 2026 World Cup on June 15 in Atlanta.
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Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates with the FIFA World Cup trophy after Argentina's 2022 FIFA World Cup Final win -- its third tournament trophy -- at Lusail Stadium in Lusail City, Qatar, on December 18, 2022. Photo by Chris Brunskill/UPI | License Photo