World Cup 2026: Lamine Yamal’s best moment is still to come, says Spain boss ahead of France showdown

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente believes Lamine Yamal’s defining moment at the 2026 FIFA World Cup is still ahead of him, urging the teenage sensation to enjoy the occasion rather than feel burdened by expectations before the crucial semi-final clash against France.

Yamal turned 19 on the eve of Spain’s meeting with France in Dallas, but De la Fuente has encouraged the Barcelona forward to focus on the opportunity in front of him rather than the weight of his birthday milestone or the pressure surrounding the biggest match of his young international career.

The Spain boss, who has consistently promoted confidence and freedom among his players, believes the winger could produce his most memorable performance of the tournament when it matters most.

“I’ve told him there is no need to worry – let him enjoy himself. I’m sure Lamine’s great World Cup day is still to come. I hope it’s tomorrow and, if not, then in the final, if we can get there,” De la Fuente told reporters.

Yamal searching for his defining World Cup moment

Yamal arrived at the tournament carrying some fitness concerns after suffering a hamstring injury while taking a penalty for Barcelona in late April.

Although he has gradually regained his rhythm, the teenager has yet to fully showcase the brilliance that has made him one of world football’s most exciting talents. He has scored once at the tournament but is still searching for his first assist.

De la Fuente, however, remains convinced that the youngster’s biggest contribution could arrive at the perfect time as Spain chase a place in the final.

The semi-final presents another meeting between two European heavyweights familiar with each other. Spain defeated France 5-4 in last year’s Nations League semi-final, but De la Fuente expects a completely different challenge this time around.

“We learn a lot from those matches, as they will have done,” he said. “We will try to repeat the scenarios where situations were favourable to us and not the others.”

Spain prepare for France’s attacking threat

De la Fuente described the contest as a battle between contrasting football philosophies, with Spain’s possession-based approach set to collide with France’s pace, power and attacking transition.

The Spanish coach warned that Didier Deschamps’ side remain extremely dangerous, particularly with the attacking quality of Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise.

“We’ve analysed them very, very thoroughly. They have players of exceptional calibre, but so do we. The key is to impose our own characteristics and style, and to neutralise the opposition. That’s football. The more balanced side is usually closer to winning, although that’s no guarantee,” he said.

Spain had appeared to have last year’s Nations League semi-final under control after building a 5-1 advantage, before France launched a late comeback attempt. De la Fuente believes both teams have improved since that encounter and expects a more demanding contest.

De la Fuente dismisses favourites tag

The Spain manager also rejected the suggestion that his team enters the semi-final as favourites, insisting such labels have no impact once the match begins.

France coach Didier Deschamps had suggested Spain carried the favourites tag into the encounter, but De la Fuente dismissed the idea as irrelevant.

“Being told you are favourites or not means nothing,” he said. “We are both great teams, like in the other semi-final (England v Argentina). I don’t understand why people say such things because whether we’re the favourites or not is completely irrelevant.”

With a place in the World Cup final at stake, De la Fuente’s message to his players is simple: embrace the moment, believe in their ability and seize an opportunity that may never return.

“I tell the players that we need to enjoy ourselves; we’re in a situation that might never happen again. That we be ourselves, and that we be wary of the opposition’s strengths. We absolutely must believe we want to go through. We’ll give it our all to reach the final,” he added.