Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira has admitted there is one specific nation he wants France to completely avoid if they reach the 2026 World Cup final, confessing he would much rather face a rematch against Argentina.
Vieira’s comments came immediately after Les Bleus secured their spot in the semi-finals with a 2-0 victory over Morocco. As Didier Deschamps’ men prepare to face either Spain or Belgium for a ticket to the final, the former French international looked ahead at the bracket and made it clear that a high-stakes showdown with England is a scenario he wants no part of.
“I know that we’re not at the final yet, but I don’t want France to face England in the final. I would prefer France to play Argentina,” Vieira said.
A preference for an iconic World Cup rematch
Vieira’s admission raised eyebrows among pundits given the recent history between France and the South American giants. Argentina famously defeated Les Bleus in a thrilling penalty shootout during the final of the previous edition of the tournament, making them a seemingly daunting preferred opponent.
However, the prospect of an intense, high-pressure border rivalry against a dangerous England squad in a global final appears to be a tactical headache Vieira hopes his country can bypass. While France must first navigate their upcoming semi-final hurdle, the legendary midfielder is already tracking the opposite side of the tournament tree, rooting for an international rematch over a tense battle with the Three Lions.
