Spain star Lamine Yamal has rejected suggestions that France have any advantage in the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026. He stressed that despite Les Bleus (France)'s excellent form, no team should be considered favourites.
Speaking in an interview with El Partidajo de Cope as quoted by The Score, Yamal said that Spain have no reason to fear France and backed his team, saying that they will perform brilliantly in the knockout tie. Yamal said of France, "They haven't beaten us since the Euros. They can't be better than us."
The Spain star also downplayed the importance of teams' performances in the group stage and said the knockout rounds present a different challenge altogether. "The group stage means nothing. I don't think there are any favourites," he said in an interview with El Partidajo de Cope, as quoted by The Score.
He added, "Obviously, France are coming in at a very high level, in very good form. They have good players, but I don't think they are above anyone."
When asked about his dream ahead of the final stage, the Barcelona star said: "I think I'm going to win the World Cup this year."
Spain started their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a goalless draw against Cape Verde before bouncing back with an impressive 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia. They then defeated Uruguay 1–0 in a hard-fought match at the conclusion of the group stage.
Yamal, who was not fully fit at the start of the tournament, started on the bench in Spain's opening match and came on as a late substitute. Spain will now face Austria in the round of 32 clash at the Los Angeles Stadium on July 3 (IST).
On the other hand, France has qualified for the Round of 16 by defeating Sweden 3-0. In this match, their captain and Real Madrid's star striker Kylian Mbappé scored two brilliant goals.
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