The record had been held by Kacper Kozlowski, who was 17 years and 246 days old when he represented Poland at Euro 2020, but Spain's Yamal has now taken the record.
As expected, the Barcelona attacker was named in the starting XI against Croatia, with Spain beginning their Euro 2024 campaign on Saturday evening.
Yamal entered the tournament off the back of making 50 appearances for Barcelona during the 2023-24 campaign, scoring seven goals and registering 10 assists in the process.
The teenager struck five times and contributed eight assists in 37 La Liga outings, while he also featured on 10 occasions in the Champions League, providing two assists.
Yamal has managed two goals in his seven caps for Spain thus far, and he will also be chasing the youngest-ever goalscorer at a European Championship record.
That is currently held by Johan Vonlanthen, having found the back of the net for Switzerland against France at Euro 2004 when he was 18 years and 141 days old.
Nico Williams and Alvaro Morata have been selected alongside Yamal in the final third for Spain's Group B opener, while Marc Cucurella is a notable inclusion at left-back.