Spain will be without one of its most dangerous attacking players when it takes on Austria in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32. Winger Nico Williams has been ruled out after suffering a hamstring injury during Spain’s final group-stage match, forcing head coach Luis de la Fuente to adjust his starting lineup for the knockout clash.
Here’s why Williams is missing today’s match and what it means for Spain.
Why is Nico Williams not playing against Austria?
Nico Williams is unavailable for Spain’s Round of 32 match against Austria after sustaining a hamstring injury in Spain’s final group-stage victory over Uruguay.
The injury occurred following a challenge late in the match, and medical evaluations determined that Williams was not fit enough to participate in the knockout fixture. Spain has not confirmed an exact timeline for his return, leaving his availability for future World Cup matches uncertain should La Roja advance.
What happened to Nico Williams?
Williams picked up the hamstring issue during the closing stages of Spain’s final group match. After the game, he described the challenge that caused the injury as “completely unnecessary,” expressing disappointment after working hard to stay healthy throughout the tournament.
The injury is another setback for the Athletic Club winger, who has dealt with fitness concerns during the past season.
Who replaces Nico Williams in Spain’s lineup?
With Williams sidelined, Spain is expected to reshape its attacking front three.
The likely attacking trio includes:
- Lamine Yamal on the right wing
- Álex Baena on the left wing
- Mikel Oyarzabal as the central striker
Spain still boasts one of the tournament’s deepest squads, but replacing Williams’ explosive pace, creativity, and one-on-one ability will be a significant challenge.
How important is Nico Williams to Spain?
Williams has become one of Spain’s most influential attacking players thanks to his speed, dribbling, and ability to stretch opposing defenses.
His partnership with teenage sensation Lamine Yamal has been one of Spain’s biggest offensive strengths, providing width and creating scoring opportunities throughout the tournament.
Without Williams, Spain will likely rely more heavily on Yamal’s creativity and Baena’s versatility to break down Austria’s defense.
Could Nico Williams return later in the World Cup?
At this time, Spain has not announced whether Williams will be available for the Round of 16 if the team defeats Austria.
His recovery will depend on the severity of the hamstring injury and how he progresses over the coming days. Spain’s medical staff will continue evaluating him before making any decision regarding a potential return later in the tournament.
Spain faces key knockout test
Although Spain enters the match as one of the favorites, losing a player of Nico Williams’ quality is a significant blow heading into the knockout rounds.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 leaves little margin for error, and Spain will hope its squad depth is enough to overcome Austria and keep its championship hopes alive while Williams recovers.