Didier Deschamps Names Spain as 2026 World Cup Favorites

Spain’s recent success against France

Deschamps pointed to Spain’s recent triumphs over his nation as the reason they are the clear favorites in the Dallas semi‑final. The Spanish side upset France in the Euro 2024 semi‑finals and repeated the dominance in last year’s Nations League final. “They can attack and defend very well, they only conceded one goal,” Deschamps noted, highlighting Spain’s defensive solidity.

He added that Spain’s performance in the opening match against Cape Verde, a goalless draw, should not overshadow their overall impression. The manager said he does not want to pile extra pressure on Luis de la Fuente and his players, acknowledging the high expectations surrounding the Spanish squad.

France’s dominance and squad updates

Despite Spain’s edge, France sit atop the world rankings and have gone unbeaten in the tournament, scoring five more goals than their opponents. Deschamps reported that Kylian Mbappé, who missed the quarter‑final after an ankle issue, trained fully and is expected to start. The captain has already contributed eight goals in this World Cup, underscoring his importance to the French attack.

The midfield picture improves as Aurelien Tchouameni returns from a groin problem and is now available for selection. Deschamps described Tchouameni’s status as “better today” while cautioning that the player has not yet reached 100 % fitness after two weeks of recovery.

Key statistics to remember

• Spain eliminated France in the Euro 2024 semi‑finals and the Nations League final.
• France have remained unbeaten, outscoring opponents by five goals so far.
• Mbappé has tallied eight goals in the current World Cup campaign.
• Tchouameni’s return adds depth to a midfield that has been solid throughout the tournament.

With Spain’s recent victories and France’s current form, the semi‑final in Dallas is set up as a clash of two evenly matched powerhouses. Deschamps’ acknowledgement of Spain’s favoriteness adds intrigue, suggesting the French side must overcome more than just on‑field challenges. The outcome will likely influence both teams’ trajectories for the remainder of the tournament.

The match marks a stage where recent head‑to‑head results and individual injuries will be tested under global scrutiny. Whether Spain can maintain their reputation as the tournament’s most dangerous side, or France can prove their rankings are more than just numbers, remains the central narrative heading into the decisive fixture.