France coach Didier Deschamps praises Spain’s form ahead of the World Cup semifinal, while both teams prepare for a high-stakes showdown.
France head coach Didier Deschamps has described Spain as the leading contender to win the FIFA World Cup, setting the stage for a highly anticipated semifinal clash between the two European giants.
Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s showdown, Deschamps praised Spain’s recent performances and highlighted the balance they have shown throughout the tournament.
The French manager dismissed concerns over Spain’s slow start to the competition, including a scoreless draw against Cabo Verde in the group stage. According to Deschamps, Spain has significantly improved since then and has emerged as one of the most complete teams in the tournament.
He noted that Spain combines an exciting attacking style with defensive stability, making them a difficult side to overcome. Deschamps pointed out that the Spanish team has conceded only one goal in its last six matches, underlining its defensive strength alongside its offensive quality.
France also received a boost ahead of the semifinal, with captain Kylian Mbappe returning to training after suffering an ankle injury during the quarterfinal victory over Morocco.
Deschamps confirmed that the star forward participated in training and is progressing well. He also revealed that midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni is available for selection after recovering from an injury that kept him out of France’s previous two matches.
Although Spain defeated France in the semifinals of UEFA Euro 2024 and the 2025 UEFA Nations League, Deschamps believes those results have little relevance to the upcoming encounter.
He stressed that both squads have evolved over time, with players developing and teams changing significantly since those meetings.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente, meanwhile, expressed respect for the French side and suggested that the current France team is stronger than before. He highlighted the maturity and experience gained by players such as Mbappe, while also emphasizing the continued development of Spain’s own squad.
De la Fuente downplayed discussions about Spain being tournament favorites, insisting that external opinions will not influence his team’s approach. He said Spain remains focused on its own football and is determined to compete aggressively against a talented French side.
The semifinal also carries special significance for Spain winger Lamine Yamal, who celebrated his 19th birthday on Monday. De la Fuente encouraged the young star to stay relaxed and enjoy the occasion, while Yamal described the match as the biggest of his career and said a victory would be the perfect birthday gift.