Dani Olmo

World Cup 2026 Analysis

Dani Olmo: Latest News, Form, and 2026 World Cup Outlook

Spanish international Dani Olmo is currently sidelined with a dislocated shoulder, an injury he sustained in early December 2025 during Barcelona's 3-1 victory over Atletico Madrid. This is a delicate injury, as he had previously undergone surgery on the same shoulder while at RB Leipzig. Despite diligently working on his recovery, even training through Christmas, his return to action remains uncertain, with doubts cast over his availability for Barcelona's upcoming match against Espanyol on January 3, 2026. This recent setback follows an earlier calf injury in late 2025 that kept him out for three games, and reports of another shoulder injury that was expected to rule him out for the remainder of 2025, highlighting a challenging period with recurring fitness issues.

Before his latest injury, Olmo was in strong form for Barcelona, establishing himself as one of their most impactful players. In the 2025/2026 La Liga season, he has scored 4 goals and provided 2 assists in 13 appearances, contributing to 6 goals overall. His attacking output is significant, with 0.43 goals per 90 minutes and a goal involvement of 0.65 per 90 minutes. His Non-Penalty xG (expected goals) of 0.48 per 90 minutes places him in the top 95 percentile of La Liga players. Olmo has also demonstrated his versatility for Barcelona, comfortably operating in a more central attacking midfield role, which allows him greater involvement in ball possession.

Looking ahead to the 2026 World Cup, for which Spain has already qualified, Dani Olmo is considered a crucial and indispensable player for the national team by coach Luis de la Fuente. Having been part of the Spain setup for over a decade, he is recognized as one of the squad's key figures and captains. Olmo himself has expressed that the World Cup is a significant long-term objective, believing that Spain's current squad and recent form position them to achieve something substantial. His ability to play across various offensive positions, including attacking midfield and winger, is a valuable asset for the national team. While his "injury-prone status" raises concerns about his sustained availability, his talent is highly regarded, and a fit Dani Olmo is expected to be vital for Spain's World Cup campaign. His past successes with the national team, including winning Euro 2024 and the 2023 UEFA Nations League, underscore his importance in major tournaments.