Zaïre-Emery Wants Revenge on Spain, Deschamps Wants None of It

France face Spain in the World Cup semi-final on Tuesday in Dallas, a rematch of the Euro 2024 semi-final Spain won 2-1 in Munich on their way to the title. Inside the French camp, though, there are two very different versions of how to talk about it: midfielder Warren Zaïre-Emery is calling it revenge, while manager Didier Deschamps insists there is nothing to avenge at all.

That split, more than the recycled "revenge" storyline every outlet will run, is the real tension shaping France's build-up to the biggest match of their tournament so far. A place in the World Cup final is on the line, and both camps inside France's squad are handling the pressure in strikingly different ways.

Old Wounds: What Happened in Munich and Beyond

Spain's win over France in the Euro 2024 semi-final was no fluke. Luis de la Fuente's side were, in Zaïre-Emery's own admission, "worthy winners" that night in Munich, and they went on to lift the trophy. It remains the most recent major tournament meeting between the two nations, and the scar tissue is still fresh enough to shape the narrative two years on.

The 5-4 Thriller Nobody Forgot

The rivalry did not end in Munich. The two sides met again in June 2024 in a chaotic Nations League semi-final that Spain won 5-4, a game so wild it has become shorthand for just how combustible these fixtures can be. Deschamps referenced both results directly when asked about the psychological weight of facing Spain again.

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A Transformed France Under Deschamps

What has changed since Munich, according to Zaïre-Emery, is the identity of the team itself. France have reached the last four in Dallas via "scintillating attacking football," a marked shift from the side that went out meekly two summers ago. It is a transformation that has fed talk of Deschamps cementing his status as one of the great tournament managers, built on a squad reshaped around younger legs and a sharper attacking edge.

• Euro 2024 semi-final: Spain 2-1 France (Munich)
• Nations League semi-final, June 2024: Spain 5-4 France
• World Cup 2026 semi-final: France vs Spain, Dallas, Tuesday

Deschamps vs Zaïre-Emery: Underdog Talk Meets Revenge Talk

Zaïre-Emery, who was an unused squad member in 2024 and only made his major tournament debut in France's quarter-final win over Morocco, is not hiding behind diplomacy.

"We have a different team, to my mind. We are ready. We want to win against Spain and get our revenge for the Euros. We're going to have to be focused. It's a semi-final and that's what we're going to do, we're going to deliver tomorrow."

Deschamps Strips the Pressure Away

Deschamps, by contrast, has spent the build-up doing the opposite of stoking a grudge match. He first called Spain favourites over the weekend and repeated the claim without hesitation.

"I confirm it. Forget about the first game against Cape Verde. Ever since then Spain have confirmed that they are the favourites. I He knows very well that people are expecting greatly of Spain."

It is classic underdog psychology from a manager who has used the tactic before major knockout ties throughout his tenure, deflecting expectation on to the opponent while quietly backing his own team's tactical discipline. Deschamps made that last point explicit, noting that "Luis and myself know how to defend well" despite the attacking quality on show.

"There Is No Lesson to Be Learned"

Asked directly whether his players needed to settle a score, Deschamps shut the idea down.

"There is no lesson to be learned. It will be a battle of wills. There's no revenge, the past is in the past. I'm focused on tomorrow's match. If it motivates the players, all the better."

Zaïre-Emery's Response to Rajoy

Beyond the football, Zaïre-Emery also addressed comments from Mariano Rajoy, the former Spanish prime minister, who has been accused of racism for suggesting the France team "does not have any French players." The 19-year-old, who said he had not read the remarks directly, responded with a calm but pointed message about the squad's identity.

"This French team has players from different backgrounds and origins, and that's what makes France. We are a united group, we are happy to be together, and that's all that matters."

What Happens Next

Team news is trending in France's favour. Aurélien Tchouaméni is available again after missing the last two games with a muscle injury and could return to the starting XI in place of the impressive Manu Koné, provided Deschamps deems him fully fit. Kylian Mbappé, who picked up an ankle knock against Morocco and sat out the closing stages of Monday's training session, has been cleared to play.

"Yes, he trained," Deschamps confirmed of Mbappé. "He is allowed to do 10 minutes in one drill instead of 15." That suggests a managed workload rather than a genuine fitness crisis heading into kickoff in Dallas.

With both sides fit to field close to full-strength lineups, the match shapes up as a straight collision between Spain's control-based attacking football and a France side that has rediscovered its own attacking identity. Whoever wins moves into the World Cup final; whoever loses will have to live with a third defeat to the same opponent inside two years.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do France play Spain in the World Cup 2026 semi-final?
France face Spain in the World Cup semi-final on Tuesday in Dallas, with a place in the World Cup final awarded to the winner.

What happened when France last played Spain at a major tournament?
Spain beat France 2-1 in the Euro 2024 semi-final in Munich and went on to win that tournament. The two sides also met in a Nations League semi-final in June 2024, which Spain won 5-4.

Is Kylian Mbappé fit to play against Spain?
Yes. Mbappé sustained an ankle knock against Morocco and had his training load managed, doing 10 minutes in a drill instead of 15, but Didier Deschamps confirmed he trained and is set to play.

Will Aurélien Tchouaméni start for France?
Tchouaméni is available again after missing France's last two games with a muscle injury. Deschamps could bring him back into the lineup in place of Manu Koné if he is deemed fully fit.

Why did Didier Deschamps call Spain the favourites?
Deschamps named Spain as favourites to take pressure off his own squad, a form of underdog psychology he has used before previous knockout matches. He said Spain have "confirmed that they are the favourites" since their opening game against Cape Verde.

What did Warren Zaïre-Emery say about revenge against Spain?
Zaïre-Emery said France want to "get our revenge for the Euros" and described the current squad as a "different team" to the one beaten by Spain at Euro 2024. He made his major tournament debut in France's quarter-final win over Morocco.

What did Mariano Rajoy say about the France team?
Mariano Rajoy, a former Spanish prime minister, was accused of racism after suggesting the France team "does not have any French players." Zaïre-Emery responded by saying France's squad has players "from different backgrounds and origins" and that the team is "a united group."

Are France favourites to beat Spain in the World Cup semi-final?
No, according to Didier Deschamps, who has publicly named Spain as favourites heading into the match. Deschamps said he does not want to add extra pressure on Spain manager Luis de la Fuente, whose team has been dominant since a shaky opening fixture against Cape Verde.