BILBAO, Spain — Two key Athletic Bilbao players and Spain World Cup hopefuls, forward Nico Williams and midfielder Oihan Sancet, have been confirmed with moderate hamstring injuries, though medical and club projections suggest both will be fit to compete in the upcoming World Cup kicking off in one month. The pair picked up their injuries during Athletic Bilbao’s tense 1-0 La Liga defeat to Valencia on Sunday, forcing both to be substituted off before full time. Nico Williams was forced to exit the pitch before halftime, with his older brother and fellow Athletic attacker Iñaki Williams coming on in his place. Sancet, meanwhile, was pulled from the match in the second half after feeling discomfort in his leg.
Following the match, both players underwent formal medical assessments on Monday to evaluate the severity of their injuries. In an official statement released after the tests, Athletic Bilbao confirmed that both athletes are scheduled for further observation to monitor their recovery progress. Local Spanish football reporting has indicated that the injury timeline will force the pair to miss Athletic’s final three La Liga matches before the World Cup break, but their recovery trajectories put them on track to regain full fitness in time for the global tournament.
Speaking after the match about his younger brother’s condition, Iñaki Williams shared the family’s anxiety over the injury, given how close the World Cup squad selection is. “He was limping a lot. He hadn’t felt that type of pain before,” the elder Williams told reporters. “It’s concerning considering the moment we are in right now. Let’s wait and hope for the best possible scenario.”
Nico Williams, 23, has established himself as a core starter for the Spanish men’s national team, frequently featuring in the attacking line alongside Barcelona teen sensation Lamine Yamal—who is also currently sidelined with an injury of his own. Sancet, by comparison, is a relatively new call-up to the national side, earning only a handful of caps for Spain since he received his first international invitation in late 2023. The injury comes at a critical moment for both players: Spain’s head coach Luis de La Fuente is set to unveil his final 2026 World Cup squad to the public on May 25, leaving little room for extended recovery delays that could knock either player out of contention.