Pau Cubarsi defends France players ahead of 2026 World Cup semifinal
Spanish defender Pau Cubarsi has publicly supported the French national team players following debates regarding their national identity.
Spain defender Pau Cubarsi has spoken out in defense of the French national team players ahead of their 2026 World Cup semifinal clash. During the pre-match press conference, the defender addressed the resurfaced controversial remarks made by a former Spanish prime minister regarding the identity of several players in the French squad.
The Barcelona center-back made it clear that a player's nationality is defined by the country they represent on the pitch rather than their skin color.
If they play for the national team, they are French, and their skin color does not matter. We are all people and we respect each other. Pau Cubarsi
The center-back's comments were welcomed as the teams prepare for one of the most anticipated semifinals of the 2026 World Cup. The match at Dallas Stadium will feature two of the tournament's most talented squads fighting for a place in the Final.
Cubarsi, who has established himself as a breakout star in the Spanish defense throughout this tournament, is expected to play a key role in the upcoming match, where he will face the challenge of stopping Kylian Mbappe and a star-studded French attack.