Soccer Football - Champions League - Sporting CP v Arsenal - Estadio Jose Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal - November 26, 2024 Arsenal's William Saliba reacts REUTERS/Pedro Nunes
(Reuters) -France centre back William Saliba said his side are not intimidated by facing reigning champions Argentina or European holders Spain at next year's World Cup and believe they can overcome any rival.
France finished as the runners-up at the 2022 World Cup, losing to Argentina on penalties in a pulsating final widely regarded as one of the greatest matches in the tournament's history.
Spain, meanwhile, enter the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, as one of the favourites, having clinched the European Championship last year after knocking out France in the semi-finals.
"The World Cup is eight months away. Spain and Argentina have won the last two major competitions, that's true. But we're not afraid of them. I hope we qualify and get our revenge at the World Cup," Saliba told reporters ahead of Friday's World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan.
"It's the greatest competition in football. Everyone wants to be there. There's nothing higher than that. That's all we're waiting for."
France lead Group D in their World Cup qualifiers with six points from two matches. They host Azerbaijan, who sit bottom of the group, at the Parc des Princes before travelling to Reykjavik to face second-placed Iceland three days later.
Saliba, who missed France's opening qualifiers against Ukraine and Iceland due to injury, is eager to contribute as he eyes his 29th cap for the Les Bleus.
"It's always a bit annoying to be injured. Competition is fierce in the French team. I'm back today. We'll see how it goes. But I'll have to be good when the coach needs me," the Arsenal defender said.
(Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Bengaluru; Editing by Kim Coghill)
