Birthday present for Spain’s Yamal? World Cup semifinal win over France
Spanish football prodigy Lamine Yamal is preparing for a World Cup semifinal match against France following his 19th birthday. Yamal expressed confidence in his team's ability to reach the final in New York, dismissing concerns about pressure.
Why it matters
The World Cup is a major global cultural and sporting event that draws significant international attention.
Yamal wants to celebrate his 19th birthday by taking Spain to the World Cup final in New York.
x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info Lamine Yamal spoke on his birthday as his team prepares to take on France [Mauro Pimentel/AFP] By AFP Published On 14 Jul 2026 14 Jul 2026 Lamine Yamal insists he would take no fear into Spain’s World Cup semifinal against France when both sides meet after he celebrated his 19th birthday.
The Barcelona prodigy raised eyebrows following Spain’s 2-1 quarterfinal defeat of Belgium last week after being quoted as saying that France rather than Spain ought to be “afraid” given recent defeats against La Roja.
A relaxed-looking Yamal addressed those comments as he spoke to reporters on Monday at a press conference.
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