Lamine Yamal has been released from the Spain squad for their upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifying matches after undergoing treatment, the Spanish football federation (RFEF) announced Tuesday.

The federation’s medical team announced “their surprise and upset” after discovering on Monday that the 18-year-old “had undergone an invasive radiofrequency procedure to treat his pubic discomfort that same morning”, a statement Tuesday said.

Yamal had been due to report for international duty on Monday for the start of the Spain team’s training camp.

“This procedure was performed without prior notification to the national team’s medical staff, who only learned of the details through a report received… last night (Monday),” the statement added.

The recommended recovery time after such a procedure is seven to 10 days, according to the RFEF statement, with the federation deciding “to release the player from the current squad” to prioritise Yamal’s “health, safety and well-being”.

The Barcelona star has suffered from a groin problem in recent weeks and was forced to miss Spain’s last round of qualifiers in October.

Spain top Group E with a 100 percent record after four outings, and can book their spot at the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico over the next two matchdays.

They take on Georgia on Saturday in Tbilisi, before welcoming Turkey to Seville on November 18.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente last Friday he was happy to welcome teenage star Yamal back after the Barcelona forward returned to the Spain squad for World Cup qualifiers with Georgia and Turkey.

A groin problem kept Yamal sidelined for Spain’s previous two matches before he returned to club action ahead of the Clasico loss to Real Madrid.

The spotlight has intensified on Yamal after his confrontation with several Marid players after Barca’s 2-1 defeat two weeks ago.

“He’s fit again and we are delighted to have him back,” De la Fuente said.

Under a barrage of questions concerning Yamal, De La Fuente stood firm.

“The media is ready to pounce on him and this should make him dig in.”

“He’s just 18 years old, we need to help and guide him so he can mature as a person and a player. His club must back him up and the national set-up too,” he said.

However, Yamal will no longer be available to face Georgia on November 15 in Tbilisi followed by Turkey in Seville.