Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez will miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Spain after undergoing surgery on a fractured fifth metatarsal in his right foot. The club confirmed the successful procedure was carried out at the Hospital de Barcelona, following an injury sustained during Barcelona's 3-1 La Liga win over Real Betis on May 17.
The 23-year-old faces a recovery period of two to three months, a timeline that rules him out of Spain's entire tournament campaign. Luis de la Fuente's side open against Cape Verde on June 15. Lopez had been one of the most complete midfielders in LaLiga this season, contributing both offensively and in terms of pressing and defensive work rate, and his absence represents a significant selection headache for the Spain coach.
Lopez confirmed the news on social media, writing: "Life and football are cruel. It is time to cheer on the national team from home." The injury came in what was also Robert Lewandowski's farewell appearance for the club, a bittersweet evening at Spotify Camp Nou that ended in a 3-1 win but was overshadowed for Spain by the metatarsal diagnosis.
Barcelona have not provided a specific return date, though the player is expected to be fit and available for the start of the 2026-27 pre-season if recovery progresses as planned. The club finished the LaLiga season with a perfect 19-from-19 home record, and Lopez was a key part of the midfield unit that made that possible under Hansi Flick.
