Injured Yamal and Williams in Spain's World Cup squad that has no Real Madrid players for 1st time

MADRID (AP) — Injured forwards Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams were included Monday in Spain's World Cup squad but, for the first time, La Roja won't be traveling with any Real Madrid players.

Yamal and Williams sustained muscle injuries late in the season. Coach Luis de la Fuente, though, expects them to be fit for the start of soccer's showcase event.

“We are not going to speed up any process, we are in coordination with the clubs,” De la Fuente said. “The information we have is that they will all be ready for the first or the second match. You always want to be careful, but if there's a time when the players may want to take risks, it's at the World Cup.”

Spain opens its campaign against Cape Verde in Group H on June 15 in Atlanta. It then faces Saudi Arabia on June 21 in Atlanta and Uruguay on June 26 in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Defender Dean Huijsen was among the Madrid players contending for a place in Spain's squad but he was left out.

“I don’t look at the clubs, these are national team players," De la Fuente said. "The only thing I want is for them to be proud of representing the national team. I don't look at it like maybe the fans may look at it.”

Eight players are from Madrid rival Barcelona, the Spanish league champion for two years in a row. Madrid, meanwhile, endured its second consecutive season without a major title.

Madrid will have players at the World Cup featuring for other nations, including France's Kylian Mbappé, Brazil's Vinícius Júnior and England's Jude Bellingham.

Barcelona midfielder Fermín López, who sustained a fracture on his right foot this month, is sidelined for Spain as expected.

Midfielder Mikel Merino, who played only once for Arsenal since injuring his foot in January, is back in the squad. Also included despite a recent injury is Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Fabián Ruiz.

Spain’s preparations will begin on Saturday. It plays warmup matches against Iraq on June 4 and Peru on June 9.

It rebounded from a round-of-16 elimination by Morocco at the 2022 World Cup by winning Euro 2024 in Germany. La Roja also won the 2023 Nations League and was runner-up to Portugal in the 2025 edition.

Spain hasn’t gone further than the last 16 in the World Cup since its lone title triumph in 2010.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Unai Simón (Athletic Bilbao), David Raya (Arsenal), Joan García (Barcelona)

Defenders: Marc Cucurella (Chelsea), Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen), Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid), Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona), Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Bilbao), Pedro Porro (Tottenham), Eric García (Barcelona), Marc Pubill (Atletico Madrid)

Midfielders: Rodri (Manchester City), Martín Zubimendi (Arsenal), Pedri (Barcelona), Mikel Merino (Arsenal), Fabián Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain), Gavi (Barcelona), Álex Baena (Atletico Madrid)

Forwards: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Yéremi Pino (Crystal Palace), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Víctor Muñoz (Osasuna), Borja Iglesias (Celta Vigo), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Ferran Torres (Barcelona)

FILE - Spain's Lamine Yamal attempts a shot on goal during a World Cup qualifying round Group E soccer match between Turkey and Spain at Konya Buyuksehir stadium, in Konya, Turkey, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra, File)

TOKYO (AP) — More than 20 people developed sore throats near a luxury department store in Tokyo’s posh Ginza shopping area on Monday after a person allegedly sprayed an unknown substance, Japanese fire department officials said.

The Tokyo Fire Department said 26 people complained of suddenly developing throat pain and felt unwell near the Ginza Six shopping complex, and all but one of them were taken to a hospital. Their symptoms were believed to be mild, officials said.

Fire department and police officials said an investigation was underway. The largest-circulation Yomiuri newspaper said police have detected traces of pepper spray on the wall.

Dozens of fire engines and ambulances were parked outside the complex, and the surrounding roads were temporarily closed. Television footage showed firefighters and officials in hazmat suits assisting people, with some being brought out of the building.

Yuzo Tsuda, a 78-year-old Tokyo resident, told The Associated Press that he walked toward the shopping complex after having lunch with friends, drawn by the commotion, when he suddenly felt pain in his throat and started coughing. He said the ache in his throat subsided about an hour later and he did not plan to go to the hospital.

Tokyo police examine the scene after a person allegedly sprayed a substance that caused an odor, in Tokyo, Japan, Monday, May 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Tokyo Fire Department personnel examine the scene after a person allegedly sprayed a substance that caused an odor, in Tokyo, Japan, Monday, May 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

First responders gather near the scene after a person allegedly sprayed a substance that caused an odor, in Tokyo, Japan, Monday, May 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)