France head coach Didier Deschamps has insisted that Spain are the favorites to win the 2026 World Cup, in an apparent attempt to shift the pressure onto the opposition camp ahead of the highly anticipated semi-final clash between the two sides.

The two teams face off on Tuesday in Atlanta in the first semi-final of the North American World Cup, amid great global anticipation.

Deschamps told Spanish channel Movistar: 'We know Spain well, they are the current European champions, and we also played against them last summer in the Nations League semi-final. They considered us the favorites before the World Cup, but Spain are the favorites.'

The French coach added, in a classic psychological game before big matches: 'This puts more pressure on them because of everything they have done, despite their loss to Portugal in the European Nations League final, but they are a very good team with many strengths.'

Deschamps praised the level of the tournament, saying: 'Above all, it's a first World Cup semi-final, and the level is already very high.'