Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente believes Lamine Yamal’s remarks taking part in down France’s prospects on the World Cup 2026 have been misrepresented after the 18-year-old stated Les Bleus “can’t be higher” than the reigning European champions.
France have develop into favourites with bookmakers for the reason that begin of the event after successful every of their matches by no less than two objectives, with joint finals high scorer Kylian Mbappe netting six instances and Ballon d’Or holder Ousmane Dembele hitting 4.
“It’s a must to take issues out of context,” accused De la Fuente, calling Yamal an “optimistic footballer” who was “very certain of his potentialities, very certain of his teammates’ potentialities”.
“It appears to me [that they are] simply phrases. I insist, of their context, they appear very constructive to me.
“Apart from, he’s a boy. I’m not going to speak about him as a result of very properly how I really feel about him, like all of us.
“What he tried to transmit was merely optimism, confidence, assuredness – which I like.”
World Cup 2026: What Lamine Yamal stated
Yamal identified that Spain have gained their final two conferences with France, beating Didier Deschamps’ group within the semi-finals of EURO 2024 and the Nations League in 2025.
“They’ll’t be higher than us,” the Barcelona sensation reasoned, talking to El Partidazo de COPE. “The group stage is meaningless.
“I don’t suppose there’s a favorite. France are coming in at a really excessive stage, in excellent type. They’ve good gamers, however I don’t suppose they’re above anybody.”
The Ballon d’Or runner-up to Dembele briefly returned from a critical hamstring damage as Spain surprisingly drew 0-0 with Cape Verde of their opener.
De La Fuente used Yamal for the primary 45 minutes of the next 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia, by which he scored earlier than that includes for 79 minutes in a 1-0 victory in opposition to Uruguay.
De La Fuente: France ‘nice favourites’ at World Cup
De la Fuente, who guided Spain to that European triumph, stated there are “a number of” groups who might win the World Cup.
“France are doing very properly to date,” the 65-year-old stated when he was requested whether or not their performances have modified his considering.
“They’ve [progressed] in excellent type, however the necessary factor is [continuing] properly [in the final] on the nineteenth.
“They’re one of many nice favourites, however I don’t suppose it’s a brand new factor for me to say that now. That doesn’t assure something.”
Spain vs Austria: De la Fuente on World Cup squad
Spain midfielders Rodri and Pedri have performed and accomplished essentially the most passes within the last third of any gamers nonetheless concerned within the event, main De la Fuente to name the pair “incredible”.
“I see them very properly, bettering, rising, day-after-day [having] extra confidence, extra [assuredness],” he stated.
“Please, let’s not overlook Fabian [Ruiz], let’s not overlook [Martin] Zubimendi, let’s not overlook Gavi, let’s not overlook [their fellow midfielders].
“Actually, my hair stands on finish – what little hair I’ve – enthusiastic about what we go away [in reserve] when these completely nice footballers, who’re the perfect, need to play.
“However the others are additionally the perfect, in my view. Everyone seems to be free to argue what they deem acceptable.
“Each Pedri and Rodri, in my view, have finished very properly to date, and the issue I’ve is that I see Fabian, Zubimendi, Gavi and others in coaching, they usually generate lots of doubts [about team selection] for me.
“I get it proper as a result of they’re excellent, not as a result of I do know roughly.”
World Cup 2026: When is Spain vs Austria?
Right here’s when Spain vs Austria begins in several territories on Thursday, July 2, in addition to UK viewing particulars.
| Kick-off (BST) | ET | PT | TV | Stream |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20:00 | 15:00 | 12:00 | BBC One | BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport web site |
Ralf Rangnick’s aspect completed 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).
