Paris — October 9, 2025 — France defender William Saliba has emphasized that his team is not afraid of facing Argentina or Spain in next year’s World Cup, asserting that Les Bleus are confident they can defeat any opponent on the global stage.
France, the 2022 World Cup runners-up, narrowly lost to Argentina in a dramatic final that ended in a penalty shootout, a match that has since been hailed as one of the greatest finals in World Cup history. With memories of that painful defeat still fresh, Saliba and his teammates are now focusing on the future, undaunted by the challenge of facing the reigning champions.
“Facing Argentina or Spain doesn’t scare us. We respect all teams, but we are confident in our abilities,” Saliba said. “We believe we have the quality and the mentality to overcome any challenge that comes our way.”
Spain, the reigning European champions, will enter the World Cup as one of the favorites after their impressive triumph at last year’s European Championship, where they stunned France in the semi-finals. With both Spain and Argentina expected to be formidable opponents, Saliba’s comments underline the strength and self-belief within the French squad.
Despite the tough competition from these two footballing powerhouses, France will head into the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with a squad brimming with talent. The likes of Kylian Mbappé, Antoine Griezmann, and N’Golo Kanté provide a solid foundation, while Saliba himself has emerged as one of the best centre-backs in Europe following his impressive performances for Arsenal.
As France prepares for their World Cup campaign, the team will aim to build on their near-miss in 2022 and go one step further in 2026. With Saliba’s confidence and the squad’s depth, many are backing them to once again challenge for the sport’s most coveted trophy.
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