Spain winger Lamine Yamal has dismissed suggestions that France hold a clear edge ahead of their FIFA World Cup knockout clash with Spain, insisting his side are fully capable of challenging for the title. The teenage forward expressed strong confidence in Spain’s chances, pointing to their recent success against France as evidence that there is little to separate the two European heavyweights.

Yamal referenced Spain’s victory over France in the European Championship semi-final, arguing that past results show the teams are evenly matched. He rejected the idea that Didier Deschamps’ side should be considered favourites, stressing that Spain enter every competition with the belief that they can win it. His comments come as anticipation builds for Spain’s knockout-stage campaign in the ongoing World Cup.

“There’s no team that’s impossible to beat. France is not better than us; they haven’t beaten us since the European Championship. There’s no favourite. No one is ahead of us… When a competition arrives, I think I’m going to win. It’s what I have in mind now. I think I’m going to win the World Cup,” Yamal said in an interview with El Partidazo de COPE, as quoted by The Score.

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Spain’s campaign in the FIFA World Cup 2026 began with a goalless draw against Cape Verde, a result that raised early questions about their attacking rhythm. However, the team quickly regained momentum with a commanding 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia, followed by a narrow but crucial 1-0 victory against Uruguay to secure their place in the knockout stage. The results helped Spain finish the group phase on a strong note, building confidence within the squad.

Yamal himself had a disrupted start to the tournament due to a minor fitness concern, which saw him begin the opening match on the bench before making a late substitute appearance. Since then, he has returned to full fitness and is expected to play a more central role in Spain’s attacking setup as the competition progresses. His pace, creativity and ability to take on defenders are seen as key assets for Spain’s knockout ambitions.

Spain are now preparing to face Austria in the Round of 32 at Los Angeles Stadium on July 3. The match is expected to be an important test of Spain’s depth and consistency as they move deeper into the tournament. With high expectations surrounding the squad and growing confidence within the camp, Yamal’s outspoken belief in Spain’s World Cup chances reflects the team’s broader ambition to compete at the highest level.

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