Expert Doan Minh Xuong: 'The winner of the France - Spain match will be the 2026 World Cup champion'

In the view of expert Doan Minh Xuong, the France vs. Spain semi-final is rightly seen as the "early final" of the 2026 World Cup. The football expert notes that both sides have strong rosters, depth in their squads, and clear tactical philosophies.

Whenthe 2026 World Cupenters its decisive phase, the attention of global football fans is focused on the epic showdown between France and Spain in the semi-finals.

According to expert Doan Minh Xuong, this is not only the most thrilling match of the tournament but could also decide the championship itself.

"Whichever team wins the France-Spain semi-final is very likely to be crowned the 2026 World Cup champion," stated expert Doan Minh Xuong. According to the former Dong Thap coach, this is a contest between two of the most complete teams in the tournament. Beyond having numerous stars, both France and Spain boast clear tactical identities, squad depth, and experienced coaches, making it a true 'early final'.

On the French side, expert Doan Minh Xuong highlights that the strength of "Les Bleus" is not only due to superstar Kylian Mbappe but also the balance across all positions. Besides Mbappe, France possesses many players capable of creating breakthroughs, such as Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, Manu Kone, and Adrien Rabiot. On the bench, coach Didier Deschamps still has quality options like Rayan Cherki.

In particular, Mr. Doan Minh Xuong pays close attention to Cherki. He mentioned that he once visited Lyon's club over ten years ago and knew this player as a young academy talent. Now, Cherki has developed remarkably and become a strategic asset for the French national team.

"France has very strong squad depth, capable of breaking through any defense. They have stars in all three lines, with experience and competitive spirit. Coach Didier Deschamps is also a seasoned strategist. The French team can play at high speed, attack directly, and create situations that are hard for opponents to read," he analyzed.

Meanwhile, Spain brings a completely different style but is no less dangerous. According to expert Doan Minh Xuong, coach Luis de la Fuente's team does not depend on any individual but instead leverages collective strength with a philosophy of near-total ball control.

"Spain may not have an exceptionally prolific striker, but they compensate with a very cohesive playing style. The players coordinate smoothly, patiently build up play, and always maintain control of the match," he commented.

According to this expert, the greatest strength ofSpainis the ability to deny opponents the ball to develop their game. "Spain worships the philosophy of possession. Control, control, and more control. That is also a very effective proactive defense. When the opponent doesn't have the ball, it's very difficult for them to create dangerous counterattacks."

He also assessed that the return of Nico Williams makes Spain's attack more varied, while Mikel Merino always knows how to leave his mark whenever he is introduced from the bench.

"Spain may not feel explosive, but they are extremely hard to beat. They often control over 60% possession, forcing opponents to chase the ball for most of the match." Therefore, Mr. Doan Minh Xuong believes the clash between France and Spain is almost evenly matched.

"This is a balanced encounter. France excels in speed, power, and the ability to create breakthroughs. Spain dominates in controlling the game and organization. Whichever team capitalizes on opportunities and wins will have a very high chance of lifting the World Cup trophy this year," Mr. Minh Xuong said.

From the story ofthe 2026 World Cup, Mr. Doan Minh Xuong also reflected on Vietnamese football and stated that the gap with top football nations remains very large. According to him, if Vietnam wants to realize the World Cup dream, it cannot rely solely on moments of brilliance or luck but needs a sustainable development strategy.

He emphasized that to participate in the World Cup, Vietnam must first become one of the strongest teams in Asia, consistently maintaining a position in the top 8 to 10 teams. This requires a comprehensive upgrade across youth training systems, domestic league quality, club management, and the professional mindset of players.

According to Mr. Minh Xuong, modern football is advancing rapidly as major teams strongly apply sports science, data, and artificial intelligence to training, tactical analysis, and player management. Therefore, if they do not change their mindset and keep up with trends, Vietnamese football will be left further behind.

"To reach a higher level, we must upgrade ourselves in every aspect. Players need to compete in environments higher than the V-League to gain experience.

The domestic league must also become more professional, improve technical quality, build a positive image, respect the audience, and limit habits like time-wasting or tricks. Only when a solid foundation is established can Vietnamese football think about the World Cup goal in the future," Mr. Minh Xuong concluded.