Oliver Kahn Names France as Strongest World Cup Semi-Finalist

Former Germany goalkeeper Oliver Kahn has named France as the strongest team remaining in the FIFA World Cup 2026, backing Les Bleus as slight favourites to lift the title ahead of the semi-finals. While acknowledging that the four remaining teams are closely matched, Kahn said France have displayed the most complete balance of quality, depth and tactical flexibility throughout the tournament. France will face Spain in the first semi-final on July 15 at the Dallas Stadium.

Speaking ahead of the last-four clashes, Kahn said France have consistently shown the ability to win matches in different ways, making them the most complete side among the semi-finalists. However, he stressed that the gap between France, Spain, England and defending champions Argentina is minimal, adding that any of the four teams is capable of winning the tournament if they perform well in the decisive matches.

Previewing the France-Spain encounter, Kahn described the fixture as one of the tournament's most intriguing tactical contests. He said Spain's possession-based style would be tested against France's pace and effectiveness on the counter-attack. According to the former Bayern Munich and Germany captain, the team that controls midfield while maintaining defensive discipline is likely to gain the upper hand in a contest expected to be decided by fine margins.

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Kahn also outlined what Spain must do to overcome France's organised defence, urging patience, quick ball movement and intelligent attacking play. He said Spain would need to create numerical advantages in midfield and maintain a solid defensive structure to guard against France's dangerous transitions. He added that controlling the central areas of the pitch would be more important than applying relentless pressure throughout the match.

The former goalkeeper also highlighted the increasingly important role of goalkeepers in modern football, describing them as both the first attackers and the last defenders. He noted that a single decision made by a goalkeeper can significantly influence the outcome of a knockout match and emphasised the importance of emotional discipline and adherence to tactical plans during high-pressure encounters.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 has now reached its decisive stage, with France, Spain, England and Argentina remaining in contention for the title. As anticipation builds ahead of the semi-finals, Kahn believes tactical discipline, midfield control and composure under pressure will ultimately determine which nation progresses to the final and moves one step closer to becoming world champions.

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