Lamine Yamal has fired a confident warning to France ahead of their highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final meeting on July 14, insisting Spain are the team Didier Deschamps’ side should fear most.

Spain booked their place in the semi-finals for the first time in 16 years by beating Belgium 2-1 in the quarterfinals. Goals from Fabian Ruiz and late substitute Mikel Merino sealed the victory, while Yamal was named Player of the Match.

The Barcelona star immediately turned his attention to the semi-final against France. Although Les Bleus are among the tournament favourites, Yamal insisted La Roja have every reason to be confident, citing Spain’s victories in each of their last two meetings with France.

Speaking after the win over Belgium, the 18-year-old made his intentions clear.

“We came to the semi-finals for this, to play these matches and win them,” he said, as quoted by Cope. “Now it’s time to rest and think about the match against France. The last two times we played France, we beat them. We are not afraid.”

Yamal added: “There are two options — either they reach three consecutive World Cup finals, or we beat them three times. I do not know what might happen, but we are not afraid.”