Jules Kounde Responds to Lamine Yamal's Comments Ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026

As the FIFA World Cup 2026 progresses, France's Jules Kounde has responded to Spain's Lamine Yamal, who claimed that Spain should be considered favorites. Kounde, unfazed by the comments, emphasized that the favorite label means little in such a prestigious tournament. Both teams have advanced to the Round of 16, with France set to face Paraguay and Spain gearing up for a clash against Portugal. This rivalry adds an intriguing layer to the knockout rounds, where past performances may not dictate future outcomes. Read on to discover more about this unfolding football drama.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 3, 2026, 14:14 IST

Kounde Unfazed by Yamal's Remarks

In Massachusetts, USA, on July 3, France's defender Jules Kounde addressed comments made by Spain's Lamine Yamal regarding the FIFA World Cup 2026. Yamal suggested that Spain should be considered favorites over France, to which Kounde replied, "It doesn’t bother me," according to a report from a French news outlet.

Both France and Spain have advanced to the Round of 16 in the ongoing World Cup, remaining unbeaten thus far. France has had a strong showing, winning against Senegal (3-1), Iraq (3-0), Norway (4-1), and Sweden (3-0) in the Round of 32. Spain, on the other hand, started with a goalless draw against Cape Verde but bounced back with victories over Saudi Arabia (4-0), Uruguay (1-0), and Austria (3-0) to secure their place in the knockout stage.

Kounde commented on Yamal's earlier statements, acknowledging him as a driven player who expresses his opinions freely. He emphasized that being labeled as favorites holds little weight in a tournament like the World Cup. "I know him well; he’s a strong player and ambitious. The favorite tag doesn’t mean much. It makes me smile," Kounde stated.

Yamal had previously downplayed France's perceived advantage in the tournament, citing their recent encounters. In an interview with El Partidazo de COPE, he remarked, "They haven’t beaten us since the Euros. They can’t be better than us."

He also minimized the importance of group stage performances, asserting that the knockout rounds pose a different set of challenges. "The group stage is meaningless. I don’t think there’s a favorite," he added, acknowledging France's strong form but asserting that they are not superior to any team.

Looking ahead, France is set to face Paraguay in their Round of 16 match on July 4, while Spain will take on Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, on July 6.