Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente believes Lamine Yamals remarks playing down Frances prospects at the World Cup 2026 have been misrepresented after the 18-year-old said Les Bleus cant 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 dOr 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. Im 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.Table of ContentsWorld Cup 2026: What Lamine Yamal saidDe La Fuente: France great favourites at World CupSpain vs Austria: De la Fuente on World Cup squadWorld Cup 2026: When is Spain vs Austria?World Cup 2026: What Lamine Yamal saidYamal 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 cant be better than us, the Barcelona sensation reasoned, speaking to El Partidazo de COPE. The group stage is meaningless.I dont think theres a favourite. France are coming in at a very high level, in very good form. They have good players, but I dont think theyre above anyone.The Ballon dOr 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 CupDe 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 dont think its a new thing for me to say that now. That doesnt guarantee anything.Spain vs Austria: De la Fuente on World Cup squadSpain 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, lets not forget Fabian [Ruiz], lets not forget [Martin] Zubimendi, lets not forget Gavi, lets 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?Heres when Spain vs Austria starts in different territories on Thursday, July 2, as well as UK viewing details.Kick-off (BST)ETPTTVStream20:0015:0012:00BBC OneBBC iPlayer, BBC Sport websiteRalf Rangnicks 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). Topics 2026 FIFA World Cup Austria National Football Team FIFA World Cup Lamine Yamal Luis de la Fuente Martin Zubimendi Pablo Martin Paez Gavira Pedri Rodri Spain National Football Team World Cup World Cup 2026 Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read World Cup boss dodges Cristiano Ronaldo question before Portugal vs Croatia: They are above public opinion Ben Miller 2nd July, 2026 USA boss Pochettino backs sad Balogun over World Cup 2026 red card: Never intentional Ben Miller 2nd July, 2026 World Cup 2026: Full fixtures, dates, games, schedule and results from FIFA football finals Ben Miller 2nd July, 2026 FIFA World Cup 2026: Full England fixtures, results, schedule, confirmed squad, next match, kick off times Ben Miller 2nd July, 2026 World Cup 2026: Where to watch England and games on TV, full BBC and ITV knockout stage listings, confirmed channels, schedule, live online streams, kick off times Ben Miller 2nd July, 2026 United States 2-0 Bosnia-Herzegovina: 10-men co-hosts progress despite Balogun red Nicholas McGee 2nd July, 2026
