Former French defender Luis Fernandez has expressed his support for France to win the FIFA World Cup 2026 title. However, he mentioned that he would be happy if Spain managed to defeat France and emerge as champions. The upcoming semifinal match between Spain and France at the Dallas Stadium is anticipated to be a significant clash.
Born in southern Spain but raised in France, the 66-year-old Fernandez has a deep connection to both countries. He admires Spanish football, particularly their midfield tradition, and praised the work of Luis de la Fuente in building a strong team. Fernandez highlighted Spain’s distinctive football identity, emphasizing players like Sergio Busquets, Xavi, and Andres Iniesta.
Fernandez expressed his belief that France is a strong contender for the World Cup victory. However, he acknowledged Spain’s potential to play attractive football and succeed in the tournament. He also commended England’s performance in the ongoing competition. The semifinal match will feature a subplot with Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal facing each other, adding an intriguing element to the game.
Reflecting on past encounters between Mbappe and Yamal, Fernandez noted that the French captain currently holds an advantage over the Spaniard. While Mbappe is in excellent form and displaying leadership qualities, Fernandez believes that Yamal has more to offer and is gradually returning to his peak performance level. Fernandez sees Mbappe as a key player who could lead France to another world title, marking a potential turning point in his career.
