World Cup 2026: France Won’t Allow Spain To Control Possession –Kounde

Barcelona star Jules Koundé has disclosed that France can’t afford to spend 90 minutes chasing the ball in tonight’s FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final clash against Spain.

This will be just the second ever World Cup meeting between France and Spain, following their last 16 meeting back in 2006, with Les Bleus progressing after having come from behind to win 3-1.

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France booked their spot in the last four with a 2-0 victory over Morocco, while Spain secured their spot in the final four after defeating Belgium 2-1 in the quarter-finals.

While acknowledging Spain’s historical strength in possession, he stated that France also wants the ball to disrupt their opponents’ rhythm and prevent them from finding dangerous spaces.

“We are two very attacking teams,” said Kounde.

“Spain has historically always played a possession-based game, although they can also be dangerous on the counter-attack.

“We are also comfortable with the ball, but we know how to adapt and take advantage of transitions when we find space.

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“We will also need to have possession, because against Spain you can’t spend ninety minutes chasing the ball.

“If you do that, you end up finding space everywhere and you end up suffering.”

France are looking to become only the third team in World Cup history to reach three consecutive finals, along with Germany in 1982, 1986, and 1990 and Brazil in 1994, 1998, and 2002.