Spain's World Cup Hopes Take a Hit — Merino Racing Against Time
Arteta's vague timeline is the last thing Spain needed — Merino's World Cup dream hangs by a thread.
A key piece of Luis de la Fuente's midfield puzzle is in serious doubt for the 2026 World Cup — and time is not on Spain's side.
Mikel Merino underwent surgery on February 9 to repair a fracture in his right leg, ruling him out of the upcoming Finalissima against Argentina. But the bigger concern is what comes next. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta offered a cautious prognosis, warning that recovery could take "three, four, or five months" — a timeline that puts Merino's World Cup participation under a big question mark.
Spain were counting on Merino — their top scorer in the UEFA World Cup qualifiers — as a central figure for the summer tournament. With a potential return only in early August, he could miss the entire competition.
In his absence, Fermín López is expected to step up and compete for a starting spot, while De la Fuente looks to reintegrate several other players who have missed recent matches. Spain remain in excellent form and among the tournament favorites — but losing Merino would be a serious blow to their world title ambitions.