Spain coach Luis de la Fuente believes Lamine Yamal’s words dooming France’s 2026 World Cup hopes were misrepresented after the 18-year-old said Les Bleus “will never be better” than the European champions.
France have become the bookies’ favorites since the start of the tournament after winning each of their games by at least two goals, with Kylian Mbappe joint top scorer in the final and Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele scoring four.
“You have to take things out of context,” accused De la Fuente, calling Yamal “an optimistic footballer” who was “very sure of his chances, very sure of his teammates”.
“It seems to me [that they are] just words. I emphasize, in their condition, they seem very good to me.
“Besides, he is a boy, I won’t talk about him because he knows exactly how I feel about him like the rest of us.
“What he was trying to convey was optimism, confidence, certainty – which I love.”
World Cup 2026: What Lamine Yamal says
Yamal pointed out that Spain have won their last two matches against France, beating Didier Deschamps’ side in the semi-finals of EURO 2024 and the 2025 Nations League.
“They won’t be better than us,” thought the Barcelona fan, speaking to El Partidazo de COPE. “The category of groups does not mean anything.
“I don’t think there is a favorite. France are coming at a very high level, they are in very good form. They have good players, but I don’t think they are more than anybody.”
Ballon d’Or runner-up Dembele returned from a serious hamstring injury as Spain surprisingly drew 0-0 with Cape Verde in their first game.
De La Fuente used Yamal in the first 45 minutes of a 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia, where he scored before playing 79 minutes in a 1-0 win against Uruguay.
De La Fuente: France ‘favorites’ in the World Cup
De la Fuente, who guided Spain to that European victory, said “few” teams can win the World Cup.
“France have done very well so far,” said the 65-year-old when asked if their performance had changed his thinking.
“They have it [progressed] in a very good way, but something important [continuing] well [in the final] on the 19th.
“They’re one of the good favorites, but I don’t think it’s a new thing for me to say that now. That doesn’t guarantee anything.”
Spain vs Austria: De la Fuente in World Cup squad
Spanish midfielders Rodri and Pedri played and completed more passes in the final third of any player in the tournament, leading De la Fuente to call the pair “good”.
“I see them very well, they are improving, growing every day [having] more confidence, more [assuredness],” he said.
“Please let’s not forget Fabian [Ruiz]let us not forget [Martin] Zubimendi, let’s not forget Gavi, let’s not forget [their fellow midfielders].
“Really, my hair stands on end – what little I have – I think about what we have left [in reserve] where these great footballers, the best, have to play.
“But others are better, in my opinion, everyone is free to argue with what they see fit.
“Both Pedri and Rodri, in my opinion, have done very well so far, the problem I have is that I see Fabian, Zubimendi, Gavi and others being trained, and they create a lot of doubt. [about team selection] mine.
“I find it good because they are very good, not because I know more or less.”
World Cup 2026: When is Spain vs Austria?
Here’s when Spain vs Austria kicks off at different venues on Thursday, July 2, along with UK viewing details.
| kick (BST) | ET | PT | The TV | Broadcast |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20:00 | 15:00 | 12:00 | BBC One | BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website |
Ralph Rangnick’s men finished second in Group J, drawing 3-3 with Algeria after losing 2-0 to Argentina and beating Jordan 3-1.
The winners of this match will meet either Portugal or Croatia, who play at 00:00 BST on Friday, in the last 16 match in Dallas on July 6 (20:00).
