France got a huge boost ahead of a huge FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final with Spain with coach Didier Deschamps confirming that captain Kylian Mbappé will be available despite sustaining an ankle injury in the quarter-final victory over Morocco.
Mbappé was substituted in a 2-0 win against Morocco as he appeared to hurt his ankle and has the possibility to be injured ahead of one of the most important games of the tournament. But Deschamps dismissed fears of a serious injury and assured fans that the French superstar will be in charge of his side at Dallas Stadium in the crucial semi-final.
"Kylian is fine," Deschamps told the media before the match.
The France coach had a different explanation for Mbappé not completing the full training of the team when Mbappé didn’t complete the whole training session that Mbappé did not go through the full training session and has not part of the team’s team training session, but he said it was purely precautionary, so it was purely precautionary and only because he was simply precautionary to do so, he said.
"Yes, he trained. He is allowed to do 10 minutes in one drill instead of 15," Deschamps said, indicating that the team's medical staff are carefully managing the striker's workload rather than dealing with a major fitness concern.
France Not Taking Spain Lightly
And although Deschamps has led France to another perfect run of record winning football at the FIFA World Cup so far, Deschamps feels Spain are likely to be favourites in the semi-finals to win the World Cup.
The incumbent European champions have been impressive throughout the tournament with their physical defence and possession-based football. Starting their campaign with a 0-0 draw against World Cup debutants Cape Verde, Spain has been one of the strongest teams in the tournament and have shown that they have been able to be a part of the title winning team so far.
"Forget about the first game against Cape Verde," Deschamps said. “Spain have ever since then confirmed that they are the favourites."
The comments came after Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal made a confident statement following his side’s quarter-final victory over Belgium.
"I think that if France has to fear anyone, it should be us, in my opinion. We were the ones that knocked them out before," Yamal had said, referring to Spain's recent success against France in major international tournaments.
Recent History Favours Spain
France defeated Spain 3-1 in the Round of 16 at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, but more recent meetings between the two European giants have gone Spain’s way.
Spain defeated France 2-1 in the UEFA Euro 2024 semi-final before beating Les Bleus again in another high-profile match, giving Luis de la Fuente's side a psychological edge heading into the World Cup semi-final.
History Beckons for France
One victory over Spain would see France qualify for a third consecutive FIFA World Cup final, so they are in good company.
Only Brazil and Germany have ever been able to reach three consecutive World Cup finals. Brazil reached the finals in 1994, 1998 and 2002, while Germany played in the 1982, 1986 and 1990 finals, and won the trophy in Italy in 1990.
France are now just one win away from matching that remarkable achievement under Didier Deschamps.
Winner to Face Argentina or England
The winner of the France-Spain semi-final will advance to the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, where either defending champions Argentina or England await. The second semi-final is another high-profile clash to watch in which Lionel Scaloni's side will attempt to defend their title against Gareth Southgate's England.
The World Cup final will take place on 19 July at the New Jersey Stadium, on 20 July (12:30 a.m IST) for viewers in India.
Realistically speaking, with Mbappé fit and Spain feeling confident with recent wins over France, football fans will see a big battle between two of the best football teams in the world and a coveted place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final.
