Former Chelsea and Nigeria star John Obi Mikel has tipped Spain to advance to the 2026 World Cup final, suggesting they have the right tools to overcome France. Speaking on Fox Sports following Spain’s victory over Belgium in the quarter-finals, Obi Mikel highlighted the tactical battle ahead.
While acknowledging France’s impressive pedigree—having reached two consecutive finals with Kylian Mbappe aiming for a third—Obi Mikel emphasized the importance of ball retention. He argued that Spain must deny France possession to neutralize threats from players like Mbappe and Michael Olise. The former midfielder specifically noted that if Rodri can successfully control the tempo of the match, Spain possesses the strength to challenge the French side and potentially secure a spot in the championship game for the first time since their 2010 title run.
