Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente believes Lamine Yamal’s remarks playing down France’s prospects at the World Cup 2026 have been misrepresented after the 18-year-old said Les Bleus “can’t be better” than the reigning European champions.
France have become favourites with bookmakers since the start of the tournament after winning each of their matches by at least two goals, with joint finals top scorer Kylian Mbappe netting six times and Ballon d’Or holder Ousmane Dembele hitting four.
“You have to take things out of context,” accused De la Fuente, calling Yamal an “optimistic footballer” who was “very sure of his possibilities, very sure of his teammates’ possibilities”.
“It seems to me [that they are] just words. I insist, in their context, they seem very positive to me.
“Besides, he is a boy. I’m not going to talk about him because you know very well how I feel about him, like all of us.
“What he tried to transmit was simply optimism, confidence, assuredness – which I love.”
World Cup 2026: What Lamine Yamal said
Yamal pointed out that Spain have won their last two meetings with France, beating Didier Deschamps’ team in the semi-finals of EURO 2024 and the Nations League in 2025.
“They can’t be better than us,” the Barcelona sensation reasoned, speaking to El Partidazo de COPE. “The group stage is meaningless.
“I don’t think there’s a favourite. France are coming in at a very high level, in very good form. They have good players, but I don’t think they’re above anyone.”
The Ballon d’Or runner-up to Dembele briefly returned from a serious hamstring injury as Spain surprisingly drew 0-0 with Cape Verde in their opener.
De La Fuente used Yamal for the first 45 minutes of the subsequent 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia, in which he scored before featuring for 79 minutes in a 1-0 victory against Uruguay.
De La Fuente: France ‘great favourites’ at World Cup
De la Fuente, who guided Spain to that European triumph, said there are “a few” teams who could win the World Cup.
“France are doing very well so far,” the 65-year-old said when he was asked whether their performances have changed his thinking.
“They have [progressed] in very good form, but the important thing is [continuing] well [in the final] on the 19th.
“They are one of the great favourites, 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 on World Cup squad
Spain midfielders Rodri and Pedri have played and completed the most passes in the final third of any players still involved in the tournament, leading De la Fuente to call the pair “fantastic”.
“I see them very well, improving, growing, every day [having] more confidence, more [assuredness],” he said.
“Please, let’s not forget Fabian [Ruiz], let’s not forget [Martin] Zubimendi, let’s not forget Gavi, let’s not forget [their fellow midfielders].
“Really, my hair stands on end – what little hair I have – thinking about what we leave [in reserve] when these absolutely great footballers, who are the best, have to play.
“But the others are also the best, in my opinion. Everyone is free to argue what they deem appropriate.
“Both Pedri and Rodri, in my opinion, have done very well so far, and the problem I have is that I see Fabian, Zubimendi, Gavi and others in training, and they generate a lot of doubts [about team selection] for me.
“I get it right 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 starts in different territories on Thursday, July 2, as well as UK viewing details.
| Kick-off (BST) | ET | PT | TV | Stream |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20:00 | 15:00 | 12:00 | BBC One | BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website |
Ralf Rangnick’s side finished second in Group J, drawing 3-3 with Algeria after a 2-0 defeat to Argentina and 3-1 win over Jordan.
The winners of the tie will meet Portugal or Croatia, who play at 00:00 BST on Friday, in a last-16 encounter in Dallas on July 6 (20:00).
